ONE DAY AT A TIME
Oklahoma high school football games are being played, but nothing is the same in the coronavirus age
Everyday Mustang football coach Lee Blankenship walks into his office, he's focused on many things.
Most revolve about how to improve his football team and get it ready for its next opponent. Others ar e about personnel issues and making sure his student-athletes are doing well in the classroom.
But this season, he's thinking about a lot more than X sand Os, wins and losses. Blankenship is like every coach and administrator across the state, which will soon be illuminated by the glow of stadium lights on Friday nights.
They are always mindful of the corona virus pandemic.
“There's so many little things we have to do on a daily basis that you never would've thought of at this time last year,” Blankenship said. “Dealing with the virus has changed everything we do.”
The 2 020 Oklahoma high school football season officially kicks off Thursday, but the coronavirus pandemic will make this season unlike any other.
Dozens of Zero Week games and scrimmages have been canceled this week because of positive cases and outbreaks at districts and in communities across the state.
Although many of the changes with the season won't be visible come game time, nearly everything, from preparation and practices to travel and game-day experience, will be different.
At Mustang, the district is allowing only 3,750 fans to each home game. Season-ticket holders will not be guaranteed the same seats every week because of social distancing guidelines. In addition, every person attending will be required to wear a mask.
At Edmond' s three high schools, 1,600 home tickets and 500 away tickets — a number that will increase to 800 for Edlam games — will be sold, and masks will be required.
Heritage Hall isn' t allowing fans to begin the season but will stream every game.
Putnam City initially announced no fans would be allowed but has since changed its policy to 25% capacity.
Many schools won't travel bands, cheerleaders or po mm embers. Even home teams are planning to have only a pep band and limited numbers in the student section.
Even with different guidelines for fans, there are also new realities for coaches and players.
Most coaches are wearing mask sat all times. Players also have masks or gaiters on under their helmets and while standing on the side line. In practice, teams remain distanced in huddles and when going through drills as it allows.
Teams are planning to shrink their travel squads to allow more space on buses and in visiting locker rooms, which often don't have adequate space for even teams in smaller classifications. Some schools are planning to set up tents between team buses in the parking lots to allow for additional spacing.
Officials were already in short supply, but now, many middle school and junior varsity games have been moved to earlier in the week so there will be enough officials f or high school games on Thursdays and Fridays.
A full season isn't guaranteed, even with all of these precautions. But as for now, stadiums lights will soon be a beacon of normalcy in towns across the state every Friday night.
Those closely involved aren' t taking it for granted.
“We know this could go away at any moment,” Edmond Memorial coach Luke Orvis said. “We're not focused on that, but it's a possibility.
“We' re just going day-by-day.”
“There's so many little things we have to do on a daily basis that you never would've thought of at this time last year. Dealing with the virus has changed everything we do.” Mustang football coach Lee Blankenship