PIAA says fall sports can go ahead

It’s apparently full steam ahead for Pennsylvania high school sports this fall after the PIAA announced on Friday afternoon it has given approval for teams to start officially practicing this Monday.

As is the case in New Jersey with the NJSIAA, although the PIAA is going ahead with sports the ultimate authority at each individual school remains with the school board.

“The (PIAA) Board agrees the decision to compete in athletics should be made locally allowing for each school entity to decide whether to proceed and which sports to sponsor,” the PIAA said in its press release.

“As the health and safety of students is paramount in moving forward with athletics, the Board believes that through each member schools’ adherence to their developed school health and safety plans and the PIAA Return to Competition guidelines sports can continue.”

The PIAA’s decision, which passed by a vote of 25-5, goes against Gov. Tom Wolf’s recommendation that there be no high school until at least Jan. 1.

In terms of football, teams may play their first scrimmage on Sept. 5 and the opening night of regular-season play will commence on Sept. 11.

Many leagues, however, have already said they will be starting their seasons later than that. In the first week of August, the Suburban One League announced it will begin official practice on Sept. 14 with the first regular-season games set for Oct. 2.

Although the PIAA press release didn’t say anything about it, the general consensus seems to be it has no plans to hold football playoffs this year.