High schools expect to get OK from Dewine to play

Like all other high school sports administrators, coaches and fans throughout the state, Bob Goldring will watch Gov. Mike Dewine’s press briefing Tuesday with great interest.

Goldring, the Ohio High School Athletic Association’s interim executive director, has been in regular contact with Dewine and Lt. Gov. Jon Husted in recent weeks. And he has read between the lines of Dewine’s comments last week, Goldring thinks he has a general idea of what will be said.

“The governor said he was leaving the decision of playing contact sports this fall to parents, schools and health officials,” Goldring said. “What I’m taking from that is this: While we realize that there are risks out there, the OHSAA and the governor are giving the kids the opportunity to play.

“It’s up to each family and school district whether that risk is worth it or not, given the recommendations of some local health districts about starting face-toface school and all sports, or namely contact sports.”

An emergency order by the Ohio Department of Health prohibiting schoolversus-school competition and requiring negative coronavirus tests for contact sports (football, boys and girls soccer and field hockey) would first have to be lifted.

Crowd limitations and other mandatory safety requirements also are expected to be addressed by Dewine.

Big Walnut athletic director Brian Shelton

said he has tuned in to almost every Dewine news conference, but probably will sit this one out.

“Every week, I get all excited to hear some news and then he doesn’t even mention sports,” he said. “It’s sort of frustrating because we’re all ready to move forward with plans. I presume he’ll finally make the decision Tuesday, but I think I’ll just find out what I need to know from Twitter and from the OHSAA.”

While expecting to receive some form of go-ahead from Dewine, Pickerington North athletic director Molly Feesler also is waiting for more specific guidelines.

“Provided contact sports get the goahead, we’re hosting a boys and girls soccer doubleheader with Pickerington Central on Friday, and a lot of people want to go,” she said. “It’s down to the wire, and I don’t know what to tell people.

“The governor alluded last week that parents and schools would make the call. I know for a fact that our parents want their kids to be involved with sports. We have record numbers of kids out.”

Feesler added that high school athletes likely benefit by playing in a more controlled environment than college and professional athletes.

“They’re getting guidance from coaches, and when they’re not playing they’re usually at home with their parents or in their little bubbles of friends. They’re willing to do anything for this privilege,” Feesler said.

Harvest Prep football coach Milan Smith insisted that while he holds a great respect for the coronavirus, athletics play a vital role in the physical and physiological well-being of youths.

“We’re trying to find a sense of normalcy in a season that will be anything but normal with all the safety precautions in place,” he said.

“In my heart of hearts, I do think we’ll start the season with week 1, but where we go from there, nobody knows. Because of the uncertainty, we’re going to celebrate our Senior Night the first game to make sure those kids get some sort of recognition.”

The City League last week suspended fall sports due to the continued threat of COVID-19.

St. Charles followed suit Monday, suspending football and soccer with the probability of canceling their seasons. Athletic director Dave Lawler said the school used the term “suspended” to keep options open in the event football is moved to spring.

“We decided that the risk was not worth it to the kids and the community,” Lawler said. “Our principal, administrators and coaches have been discussing this for a few weeks, waiting on the OHSAA or somebody else to make a firm decision. We had to make a decision for (Central Catholic League) scheduling purposes. I think it’s the right call.”

St. Charles went 4-6 in football last season. The soccer team is three-time defending Division I district champion. sblackledge@dispatch.com @Blackiepreps