Finally: Public high schools ready to kick off
For the first time since last December, public schools will get to play football games. The coronavirus pandemic delayed the start of the season for Broward and Palm Beach public schools by two months, and when teams take the field this week things will be a lot different. Schedules were changed, and players won’t get the chance to play in front of large crowds. Inside: What you can expect this season.
Schedule
Although many private schools have been playing for weeks, public school teams are just starting this week.
Public school teams will play a four-week schedule starting this week and ending the week of Nov. 16. Teams will get a bye week for Thanksgiving, and then the playoff schedule will begin.
Playoffs
Both counties have opted out of the FHSAA state series this year, so the public school teams will not compete for a state title.
Instead, Broward and Palm Beach teams will play for a tri-county championship with teams from Miami-Dade.
The exact details of the playoff tournament have not been announced by the three South Florida counties, but the tournament will run from the week of Nov. 30 until the championship games on
Dec. 21 and 22, according to the Palm Beach County schedule.
Sites
In Broward County, teams will get to play at their home stadiums or at local athletic fields, including the new Inter Miami CF Stadium facilities in Fort Lauderdale. In Palm Beach County, most teams will not get to play at their home fields during the season.
Palm Beach County teams will play their games at one of three sites: Boca Raton High, Jupiter High or Wellington High. Those three schools have turf fields, which can withstand the beating of multiple football games each week.
Each site will host one game on Friday and two or three games on Saturdays. When the playoffs begin, teams will return to playing at their home sites.
Fans and protocols
A limited number of pre-approved fans will be allowed at Broward and Palm Beach County games. In both counties, participants will be allowed to invite guests, who will have to purchase tickets online and follow several coronavirus-related restrictions. Tickets will not be sold at the venues.
Palm Beach stadium gates will open 30-45 minutes before the games start, and only fans with pre-purchased tickets will be allowed to park.
Palm Beach concession stands will be closed, but fans will be allowed to bring a sealed water bottle. Broward will allow concession stands to be open for outdoor venues, but only prepackaged food and drinks will be sold and they will not be allowed in the stands.
Fans will be required to bring a photo ID and a mask (neck gaiters and bandana-style masks are not allowed) along with their tickets, and fans will have their temperatures checked and will have to answer health screening questions.
Broward County’s protocols do not require masks but asks spectators to “follow and maintain physical distancing guidelines and avoid congregating in groups during athletic events.” The county also asks anyone who is sick or experiencing COVID-19 symptoms to stay home.