SOL in, Central League out of fall sports
The Ches-Mont and Central Athletic Leagues cancelled interscholastic sports this fall while 21 of 24 Suburban One League schools will be proceeding with fall athletics after a series of decisions Friday.
The Central League became the first public school league in the region to collectively cancel fall sports while the Ches-Mont League followed suit a short time later. Private-school leagues including the Philadelphia Catholic League, the Inter-Ac League, the Friends School League and the Mid-Atlantic Prep League previously moved to halt competition this fall.
The Central League, comprised of teams in Chester, Delaware and Montgomery Counties, cited ‘taking its direction from the Pennsylvania Department of Education, Chester and Montgomery County Health Departments, and the Governor’s office.’
A release posted on Twitter by the Central League indicated an interest in playing fall sports – cross country, field hockey, football, soccer, golf, girls’ tennis, girls’ volleyball – at a later date, possibly beginning January 2021.
“The Central League will stay in constant contact with the PIAA to work collaboratively and advocate on creating alternative solutions for our student-athletes in order for them to participate in interscholastic competitions.
“It is our hope the PIAA will provide the Central League with alternative solutions, which we will communicate to our communities in the near future as more guidance is broth forth from the PIAA and the Health Departments. These solutions could include shortened, competitive schedules for each athletic sea
son beginning in January.”
The Ches-Mont League also cited the Chester County Department of Health recommendations as a driving force and is seeking to hold an alternative season at a later date.
Both leagues will continue to allow voluntary workouts and practices under the guidelines of each school’s return to play protocols.
The Ches-Mont League consists of Avon Grove, Bishop Shanahan (previously cancelled by the Archdiocese
of Philadelphia), Coatesville, Downingtown East, Downingtown West, West Chester Henderson, West Chetser East, Great Valley, Kennett, Oxford, Bayard Rustin, Sun Valley and Unionville (opted out on Aug. 25).
The Central League is comprised of Conestoga, Garnet Valley, Harriton, Haverford, Lower Merion, Marple Newtown, Penncrest, Radnor, Ridley, Springfield-Delco, Strath Haven and Upper Darby.
Meanwhile, the Suburban One League went the other direction, choosing to proceed with athletics. Plymouth Whitemarsh, one of the 21 “yes” votes, voted in favor of all sports except football on Thursday night. Springfield (Montco) and Harry S. Truman abstained from voting while Cheltenham earlier cancelled fall sports.
For the SOL schools, low and moderate risk sports can begin practicing Monday, Aug. 31. Golf matches can begin Thursday, Sept. 3, tennis Tuesday, Sept. 8 and the other low and moderate risk sports Monday, Sept. 21. For football, heat acclimation begins Monday, Sept. 14. Practices begin Monday, Sept. 21 and the regular season can kick off Friday, Oct. 2.
SOL schools competing in full include Abington, Bensalem, Central Bucks
East, CB South, CB West, Council Rock North, Council Rock South, HatboroHorsham, Lower Moreland, Neshaminy, New-Hope Solebury, North Penn, Pennridge, Pennsbury, Quakertown, Souderton, Upper Dublin, Upper Moreland, William Tennent and Wissahickon.
The PAC has voted on a district-by-district basis after moving the start of preseason back to Sept. 7 with competitions to begin Sept. 25 in most sports.
Phoenixville (excluding singles tennis & golf), Pottstown, Pope John Paul II and Norristown have cancelled fall play. Upper Merion is scheduled to vote on the matter Monday.