L-E plans to focus on student-athlete safety first,

TEXARKANA, Texas — The Liberty-Eylau school district recently released a statement after school board approval, that all Leopard student-athletes must come to school physically, opposed to going to school through the virtual distance learning.

The L-E administration plans to monitor all-student athletes with frequent COVID-19 testing and also by monitoring students who may show symptoms.

The Leopards will also start their football season on August 28, hosting Henderson at Harris Field. The schedule change comes after a recent UIL ruling stating classifications 6A and 5A will have a delay to beginning their season.

“The safety of our student-athletes is our No. 1 priority,” Liberty-Eylau head football coach and athletic director Dewaski Davis said. “This way, we’re able to stay on top of things and make sure things go accordingly.

“It feels pretty good to know what we’re going to do to start the season. The kids and coaches are excited because now we know what we’re up against. We’re ready to handle business.”

None of the Leopard student-athletes have tested positive for coronavirus.

“We’ve been fortunate to not have any positive cases,” Davis said. “We’ve been very fortunate. We plan to take the proper steps and we also are going to take this thing one day at a time.

“We’re making sure everything we touch is wiped down. We’re also encouraging kids to wear masks in the facilities, as well as when they’re away from here. We just want to change the kids mindset. One of the biggest deals has been people’s seriousness about the pandemic.”

The Lady Leopards volleyball squad opens play

August 11, facing Atlanta.

“Everyone is on the same page,” Davis said. “Wins and losses are great, but the safety of our student-athletes has to be very high on the list.”