I will be the first to admit I never dreamed a high school football season or fall sports year would be facing the challenges teams are today.
Over my 46-year career as a sportswriter I am taking precautions to make sure my co-workers and I, and those associated with the game, stay safe.
Just this past December the Mountain Top Sports team, along with thousands of others, packed into Kroger Field to witness three state championship games, involving Belfry, Johnson Central and Pikeville. All three won titles.
When the season kick offs in Kentucky in two weeks it will have a different look and different feel.
Social distancing and limited fan access will rule the night. Just the season getting to this point has been a roller-coaster ride for players and coaches.
The Kentucky High School Athletic Association’s Board of Control voted 16-2 this month to move ahead with practice, with games starting on Sept. 11, pending approval of Gov. Andy Beshear and the state health department.
Gov. Beshear, although not happy with the decision to begin practice, did not overturn the ruling. The state health department is concerned. They are asking the KHSAA to consider other options concerning high-contract sports.
Games have already been canceled because of starting dates being changed. Moving the start date again means postponing more games.
Players, coaches, and fans have been bounced around emotionally like never before in our lifetime. Seniors wondering if they will ever get a chance to play again.
Gut-wrenching, heartbreaking and emotionally draining has become a lesson for high school athletes. In fact, for all of us.
I remind you its not just football. Other fall sports are facing difficult challenges ahead. Coaches and school officials are being asked to do more than ever before to keep their students and athletes safe.
The COVID-19 pandemic cannot go away soon enough. Let us pray the games go on with little or no interruption for the sake of our student-athletes.
Just a little normal in our lives is better than none at all.
– Teddy Paynter is sports director for Mountain Top Sports