Those in Shelby County playing football feel for SCS teams that can't
One of the main points of discussion surrounding Shelby County Schools' decision postpone fall sports indefinitely is that Shelby County suburban and private schools are playing.
Some schools, such as Briarcrest, Christian Brothers, FACS and Houston, have already played four football games.
Four-star Christian Brothers' running back Dallan Hayden has rushed for a Shelby County-best 908 yards and 12 touchdowns, while a number of his friends on SCS teams are still unable to have contact practices under current guidelines.
"I definitely feel for them because I see it both ways. They're probably looking at me and my private school saying, ‘How do they get to play and we don't get to play?'" Hayden said.
SCS Superintendent Joris Ray said in a video Tuesday that he doesn't feel it is safe enough to play fall sports yet. He said previously that the season would be unable to resume if the district remains in online-only learning. He wants to see 14 days of consecutive single-digit new COVID-19 cases before students report back to in-person classes. Shelby County's 14-day new case average was 112 as of Wednesday.
Nearly 100 SCS players and parents participated in a peaceful protest organized by Kirby senior Kaleb Almo outside of the Board of Education on Wednesday, saying that they thought it was safe enough to play football.
"Obviously SCS thinks they're doing what's right for their constituents," Houston coach James Thomas said. "We're doing this in a safe way and it's been successful. Kids are getting a chance to play. I think it's doable. It's not easy but it's definitely doable."
Christian Brothers coach Thomas Mcdaniel said that he's not surprised by SCS' decision. He said he's more surprised that the teams that are playing have made it this far into the season.
Multiple teams, including Collierville and Lausanne, have quarantined during the season due to COVID-19 concerns. The Purple Wave have played every week so far.
"Every day for us has been a gift and a real blessing. I hate it for those kids because for a lot of them athletics is one of the main motivations and outlets they have," Mcdaniel said. "To take that away from them is definitely going to be challenging for them. A lot more free time on their hands and limiting opportunities for recruiting and motivation for them to keep things in line academically, but I don't think there's a right or wrong answer right now. You talk to 10 different people and you'll get 10 different answers about the virus and how we should be handling it."
St. Benedict coach Marlon Walls, who played at Wooddale before graduating from Olive Branch and playing at Tennessee, said that he feels for the SCS players because he used to be one of them. He said he can't imagine what it would be like having to miss his senior year of football.
"If I was a high school freshman, sophomore, junior, senior for sure, telling me I can't play football, man that would burn," Walls said. "I'm kind of at a loss for words because you know how special the game is. And for so many of those kids, the game has a chance to change their life."
St. Benedict defensive lineman Walter Nolen, the nation's No. 1 college football prospect for the Class of 2022, said he was looking forward to watching his friends play if St. Benedict had an open week. Now he's unsure if he'll get the chance.
"I know some of my boys were ready to play this season." Nolen said. "Knowing hopefully that they might be able to get a scrimmage in with me or just anything like that. I know they were ready."