The JPII Crusaders remain cautiously optimistic there will be a football season this fall, although the decision will ultimately come down to the state of COVID-19 in the province, and the recommendation of the Saskatchewan Health Authority and High School Athletic Association. (File photo/battlefordsNOW)

By Martin Martinson

High School Athletics

JPII remain hopeful for football season this fall

Aug 1, 2020 | 1:00 PM

As staff and students look ahead to their return to the classroom this fall, much uncertainty still remains surrounding high school athletics, with the football season at the top of the list.

Football generally begins prior to the start of the academic school year, with players returning to campus in late August, as early as a couple of weeks ahead of the school calendar.

However, like most every other aspect of life, the football season this year remains a question mark due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The season has not been cancelled, but also has not yet been officially confirmed either.

Bruce Yockey is the head coach of the Crusaders football team at John Paul II Collegiate. He said there hasn’t been a ton of discussion from the powers that be over the last month, as the fate of the football season remains in large part a wait and see approach for all involved.

“We haven’t got any updates since June 30, but the High School Athletic Association said at that time that there hadn’t been any cancellation of any schedules for high school sports,” Yockey said. “The High School Athletic Association didn’t want to make any decision prior to school ending, and school does plan on opening as normal after the September long weekend. I don’t know… at this point it’s really hard to say.”

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Despite the uncertainty, Yockey said it remains very important to be proactive in getting as ready as possible. Teams within the conference have already submitted their availability, and a tentative schedule has been established.

Generally the JPII Crusaders begin practicing prior to the start of the school season, around the third week in August. They then play an exhibition game prior to school starting, before the schedule officially kicks off following September long weekend.

This year the plan includes a much later start to the season. Should football receive the green light from the province, the Crusaders will kick off their season with opening night on Sept. 18.

Working backward, that would mean training camp and preseason practicing would have to start around Sept. 7 or 8, so long as the rules in place allow the team to take part in contact sports at that point.

Yockey said he doesn’t believe the delayed start would have too big an effect overall on the season. The team would still play their standard six games, but nothing too major.

“There would be a week pushback probably by the time the provincial championship happened, but we still set up a normal six game schedule,” he said. “The difference might be instead of two weeks off [throughout the season] we would just condense it a little bit.”

If the season is not able to go ahead this fall, Yockey said there could remain the possibility of moving to a shortened season format in the spring. Such a plan would likely take place in May and June, 2021. However, that would only take place as a last resort and remains a long ways away.

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Martin.Martinson@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: MartyMartyPxP1