The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
Mayfield suspends season
Football, girls soccer join volleyball on hold after students test positive
The Mayfield football and girls soccer seasons have been suspended indefinitely after two players tested positive for the novel coronavirus.
In an email to parents, staff and students on Aug. 26, Mayfield superintendent Keith Kelly said high school football (varsity, JV and freshman) has been suspended from practice and competition after two football players tested positive for the novel coronavirus.
Later in the evening, Kelly sent another email saying a member of the girls soccer program had tested positive for COVID-19 and that program has also been suspended from play and practice until further notice.
In both emails, Kelly said Mayfield Athletic Director Keith Leffler will communicate with players and families when more information is available.
Mayfield’s football team was supposed to open its 2020 varsity football season on Aug. 28, against visiting Kenston.
“We’re trying to remain positive. We hope to get back for the second half of the year and the playoffs.” — Senior quarterback Michael Huss
“Per the recommendation of the Cuyahoga County Board of Health, the Mayfield football season for freshmen, junior varsity and varsity teams has been suspended from play and practice, until further notice,” said Kelly in the email.
His email about girls soccer was virtually the same.
Neither Leffler nor head football coach Ross Bandiera was available for comment.
Senior quarterback Michael Huss, a captain and four-year starter, told The News-Herald that he and his teammates were disappointed with the positive tests and suspended season, but are trying to remain positive.
“At least it happened in the first week and not like Week 6 or the playoffs,” Huss said. “We’re trying to remain positive. We hope to get back for the second half of the year and the playoffs.”
Kenston head football coach Jeff Grubich said his team will not seek out a Week 1 opponent.
In addition to Mayfield suspending its football and girls soccer seasons for an undetermined amount of time, the volleyball team is also on hold after eight players tested positive for COVID-19 via a rapid test.
“Last weekend, I immediately suspended volleyball practices and competitions until further notice when I learned of the positive rapid tests of volleyball players,” Kelly wrote in an update on the school’s website. “The athletic director sent a communication to the volleyball families. On Monday morning we contacted the Cuyahoga County Board of Health when their office opened. I have also quarantined a teacher/coach for 14 days who is not showing symptoms. This teacher is working from home.”