Questions remain for football
Allow me to introduce myself. This week, I am the “Answer Man” for high school football. Goodness knows we could use one this season more than ever. With high school football starting Friday in Pennsylvania, amidst the COVID- 19 pandemic, there are questions, questions and more questions, They come from everyone from fans to coaches.
OK, so maybe the “Answer Man” doesn’t have all the answers. But here’s what he knows about oft asked questions concerning football and COVID- 19.
How many fans will be allowed?
This seems to be the most popular question. The answer has many layers — and seems to be ever changing. Here is the situation as of early this week:
Last week, Gov. Tom Wolf relaxed the spectator ban that had been in place for school sports. Schools can allow up to 250 individuals at an outdoor game, but that total must include players, coaches, band members, cheerleaders, officials, game workers, etc.
What really muddies the water in this situation is that Allegheny County has its own outdoor gathering limit of 100 dealing with “pods” of people, but the county has tried to work with the WPIAL in order to let fall sports go on outdoors. The county released a statement last Friday that was an attempt to clear up questions, but it only confused more people. So, after talking with WPIAL executive director Amy Scheuneman, the scoop is that games in Allegheny County can also have 250 people, but attendants must be grouped in “pods.” The maximum number in a pod is 100.
So, the two teams could be considered two pods of 50 on the sidelines. There could be a pod of 25 cheerleaders and 50 band members. That would leave room for maybe 75 fans who could also be in pods of different numbers.
Confused yet? Don’t feel bad. You have plenty of company. But we’re trying to explain. The bottom line is that all games can have 250 people, in and out of Allegheny County. It’s up to each individual school to decide who makes up the 250.
Oh, wait. State legislators are trying to get a bill passed that would let each individual school decide if it wants to have more than 250 in attendance. So, stay tuned.
Will we see bands and cheerleaders?
Each individual school will decide whether bands and cheerleaders can attend games. Some of the larger schools are planning to have only a portion of the band attend games. But again, bands and cheerleaders must count toward the 250 limit.
Will there be PIAA playoffs? The PIAA is still planning to hold playoffs with championship games Thanksgiving weekend. That’s two weeks earlier than scheduled. The PIAA has not released brackets yet. The PIAA said it will finalize brackets in the near future.
What about the Philadelphia schools?
The Philadelphia Catholic League and Public League have decided not to participate in fall sports. That would mean powerhouses like St. Joseph’s Prep, La Salle, Archbishop Wood and Imhotep Charter would not play this season. St. Joseph’s is loaded with big- time talent.
However, while St. Joseph’s and La Salle are part of the Philly Catholic League, they do not operate under the umbrella of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, so they are free to make their own decisions on fall sports. St. Joseph’s and La Salle are trying to put together an independent schedule, and PIAA executive director Bob Lombardi said both schools still could be
for participation in the PIAA playoffs, even if they play an independent schedule. But a qualifying procedure has not been determined yet. So again, stay tuned. What about the WPIAL playoffs?
Yes, the WPIAL plans to conduct playoffs, but the format has not been decided. The WPIAL has two formats, depending on whether the PIAA has playoffs. If there are no PIAA playoffs, only four teams from each classification will qualify for the WPIAL playoffs.
Sites for WPIAL championship games have not been determined.
Will there be games at Heinz Field?
The WPIAL has not made an official announcement on whether any championship games will be at Heinz Field. But right now, it seems unlikely.
What happens with canceled games?
This is still a gray area that has not been totally resolved. Some WPIAL games already have been canceled or postponed because of a COVID- 19 situation with a team. The WPIAL, under the PIAA’s direction, said these are considered “no contests” right now. But the WPIAL will decide in late September or early October what to do with these games. They might affect the playoffs.
The WPIAL wants the teams to re- schedule the postponed game if it is a conference game, because conference games count toward playoff qualifiers. But if a game is postponed later in the season, you can’t expect teams to re- schedule and play three games in maybe an eight- day period. So forfeits could be a possibility.
The PIAA made a ruling earlier this summer that any team that can’t play a postseason game ( WPIAL or PIAA) because of a COVID19 situation, the game will be considered a forfeit.
Again, stay tuned on this one.
What about the City League?
Pittsburgh Public Schools decided only two weeks ago that City League fall sports will be played. City League football teams won’t start playing games until the weekend of Sept. 25- 26.
OK, now we’ll stop. Mic’ drop, please. The “Answer Man” over and out.