Southern Ariz. football teams in waiting game

Tucson Salpointe Catholic is ready to open its football season Oct. 2 at home against Casa Grande. The next week, the Lancers play Sierra Vista Buena, then, on Oct. 16, they travel to Phoenix Pinnacle.

Outside of that, the school that rode Player of the Year Bijan Robinson into the Open Division playoffs last season doesn’t know who else it will be playing in 2020.

“It’s difficult not knowing which schools are allowing sports and which ones are not,” Salpointe Athletic Director Phil Gruensfelder said. “We are ready to compete, but are struggling finding schools to play.”

Welcome to Southern Arizona and the fate of the coronavirus with most districts only allowing for football games to be played when the Pima

County Health Department says OK to do so.

Most district superintendents in Southern Arizona are following the guidance of the local health department.

Most schools in the Tucson area have gone without any organized team activities on campus since midMarch.

But there is progress.

The Tucson and Amphitheater district schools began wearing helmets for the first time this week after transitioning into Phase 2 last week.

“Even though helmets are now permitted in our district, we are still remaining in Phase 2 with social distancing protocols still strictly enforced,” Tucson High School football coach Justin Argraves said.

“We have yet to be given a start date for official practice so I am unsure of when game competition will occur. ...”

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