Pandemic precautions transform fall sports staple

In an age of contact tracing, what happens to America’s original contact sport? As social distancing develops into the new normal, players sense the irony in staying six feet apart in a game built around close contact. Consequently, schools around the valley alter their plans for a fall football season.

On July 20, the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) announced their intentions to postpone the fall football season until December, in hopes the pandemic would slow prior to the winter. This year’s other sports schedules required major alterations also.

Under the current schedule, six boys and girls sports begin within a one month window in the spring. These sports include soccer, tennis, basketball, baseball, softball, golf and track and field. This postponement leads to an unusual first season back on the sidelines for coach Mick Fuller.

In a typical football season, after beginning practice in late July, the team receives only three weeks to prepare for their first opponent. Fuller views this season’s postponement as a blessing in disguise.

“This extra time prior to the start of the season is actually a blessing,” Fuller said. “It gives us more practice time to learn new systems, develop team culture and prepare spiritually, mentally and physically for the season. This year, the goal is to gradually increase the intensity, learning a little slower and, hopefully, more thoroughly, building a broader, stronger foundation of strength, knowledge and preparation.”

Fuller uses this season as a teaching opportunity for his team. He aims to prepare this team for any trial or struggle they face later in life. He views the game as one of few surviving methods of preparing young men for life.

“I believe that in time they will recognize that their experiences this year and in their high school football careers prepared them to face challenges, crises and struggles of all kinds,” Fuller continued. “Football is one of the few aspects of contemporary American life and culture that can impart some of the same training and preparation that were commonplace in days of old.”

Universities tackle the pandemic

Schools competing at the high school Division V level and collegiate level are both affected by the pandemic. Fresno State University faced difficulties starting their season. These challenges began during the team’s first weeks back on the field, when the Mountain West Conference made an announcement with historic implications.

The Mountain West published a statement regarding an upcoming postponement of the fall season until a plan was created to allow the athletes to return safely. After word of this news spread, athletes began to travel home across the country. Coaches prepped their teams from across a computer screen and attempted to develop a team chemistry through Zoom meetings.

Finally, after months away from the team, Fresno State received word the Mountain West planned to resume the season beginning Oct. 24. In a season filled with ups and downs before it even began, coach Kalen DeBoer welcomed this news. After time away from the facility, the Bulldogs prepared to return to work after installing proper protocols months before.

“It was kind of crazy how quick it turned,” DeBoer said. “There was just enough of a heads up to where I was kind of getting my mind going. We just realized that we need to get going, we had a lot of the protocol and all that stuff in place already because we were expecting to report in early August. A lot of that was in place and we were ready from an install standpoint.”

In the period of time away from the team, coach DeBoer commended his team for showing up ready for the season. He is also encouraged by the pace the team has maintained in making up ground for the season.

“It’s good to be back with these guys and they’re working hard,” DeBoer said. “There’s such a business-like approach in how they go about every practice right now. They understand the urgency we have to have right now. I’m just super proud of how quickly we’ve found a rhythm and a tempo to our practices. I feel like we’re making up ground as fast if not faster than I was thinking it could possibly be.”

Covid-19 goes pro

Pandemic-related troubles move far beyond the San Joaquin Valley. In the National Football League, players continue to receive positive tests for Covid-19 despite daily testing and advanced contact tracing protocols. One team in particular faced more positive tests than any others.

The Tennessee Titans received a total of 23 positive tests over a two week period that led to a postponement of their game against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Oct. 4. The impact of this postponement moved across the league as the Baltimore Ravens’ bye week shifted from week 8 to week 7. Baltimore’s matchup against Pittsburgh was also delayed to week 8.

These Covid-19 positive tests continued beyond the Titans organization and included the New England Patriots organization, among others. These unforeseen roadblocks led to more scheduling reshuffles for the rest of the season. The Los Angeles Chargers endured more scheduling changes than any other teams through the first five games. These included four rescheduled games and a flexed bye week from week 10 to week 6.

While Covid-19 remains a part of life in 2020, football teams have discovered new methods to work around it. They continue to provide players the opportunity to compete on the field and grow in the sport they love.

For more articles read Creek Fire survivors recount escape, valley community affected and New Teachers and Students back to school online.

Kyle Clem can be reached via Twitter: @KyleClem5 and via email.