Will fall high school sports in SC start on time? League leader ‘very encouraged’
Jerome Singleton is feeling a lot better about high school sports being played this fall in South Carolina.
The South Carolina High School League commissioner discussed that optimism Wednesday during a virtual news conference with reporters.
“Very encouraged,” Singleton said. “Majority of the schools said things are going well and they’re enforcing the guidelines we established earlier. So I am encouraged we will get all of our fall sports in and at least get them started. ... It appears right now we are in a good position.”
The S.C. Independent Schools Association began its football season last week and things ran smoothly. Georgia public schools begin their season this Friday.
Singleton’s optimism is helped by the number of new COVID-19 cases slowing down throughout the state. Over the past three weeks, new cases have been at 1,000 or more twice, and those increases are likely attributed to the rise in cases at the University of South Carolina.
Still, Singleton said there have been a few public schools or districts in the state that might not play sports in the fall. Jasper County announced last week that fall sports have been suspended because of the district’s decision to hold classes virtually during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
Walhalla football announced Wednesday that it will pause practices until Sept. 8 because an adjunct coach tested positive for COVID-19.
Singleton said there isn’t a specific metric that would make sports shut down in the state. He also is encouraging regions to come up with a plan or formula in the event a team has to lose/forfeit a game because of COVID-19.
“We’ve got to consider what the schools are doing. Are they experiencing shutdowns?” Singleton said. “Each school or district will have to decide what works best for their community. We won’t shut down if one decides they won’t play. Do we shut down if 10 schools say we aren’t playing this sport? All those things come into play.
“I’m asking schools to do what is best for their community. If they need to pause, then pause. But if other schools in other districts say we can play, then play. It may not impact everyone.”
Football and competitive cheer are the only two fall sports that haven’t officially started practice. The others — girls golf and tennis, volleyball and cross country — have either had scrimmages or regular-season contests already.
Football teams officially begin practice Tuesday with scrimmages as early as Sept. 12. As it stands, teams will play a six-game, region-only schedule followed by four weeks of playoffs.
The site for state championship games haven’t been determined yet. The last several years, Class 3A, 4A and 5A title games have been held at Williams-Brice Stadium, and Class A and 2A at Benedict College. Singleton said all options, including holding them at a large high school venue, are on the table.
The first regular season football games are set for Sept. 25, and fans will be in attendance.
S.C. Gov. Henry McMaster is limiting stadiums and other venues to a maximum of 250 people or 50% of the posted occupancy, whichever is less — but exceptions can be made through an approval process.
The league got approval for up to 12,000 fans per game, but the only time that will happen is for state championship football games. Each school or school district will make the final decision on the capacity for venues for all fall sports so that family groups can remain six feet apart at all times.
Face masks will be mandatory at all times for spectators and staff. Players, coaches and referees are encouraged to wear some sort of face covering but it’s not required.
Singleton said the school districts will be in charge of enforcing guidelines. If the guidelines aren’t followed, there is a chance the governor’s exception could be revoked.
“Please take ownership of this. We have the ability to extend past the governor’s order. Please don’t put us in a position to jeopardize that,” Singleton said.
