It’s been good to be back on somewhat of a sports beat this week for the first time since March.
Calhoun Academy has provided that opportunity for me thanks to the MAIS keeping their original schedule of fall sports in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic. As of now, schools in the MHSAA cannot begin official football practice until Aug. 17 which is about two weeks away. This virus situation, however, is ever-evolving, but hopefully we will be able to see some action on the gridiron this fall.
Lady Cougar softball got underway on Saturday as Calhoun Academy picked up a win and two losses in their season openers. Meanwhile, Cougar football has already started fall practice, and getting to take some photos of them in action was rewarding. Photography is one of my favorite aspects of journalism (and really life in general), and any opportunity I have to use my camera excites me.
Like I mentioned above, however, I simply hope this can continue.
This virus isn’t stopping for anybody, but as I’ve stated since all of this started back in the spring, the kids deserve a chance to play, and the MHSAA, MAIS and school districts need to give them that opportunity if it’s at all possible. I saw at least two school districts (one being Jackson Public Schools who subsequently backtracked their statement) toss around the idea of canceling fall sports for their schools in the last week, and I firmly believe it’s too early in the game to make that call. School days will certainly look different for students and teachers this year, but decision makers need to wait and see what the virus situation does between now and kickoff. It is totally unfair to kids and coaches, especially seniors, to cancel sports seasons a month before football season is set to begin when we don’t know what the pandemic will look like tomorrow, much less in a month.
Will we have high school sports for any length of time this fall? I have no idea. I know the MAIS is moving full speed ahead with their original fall schedule, and the MHSAA simply delayed their start for two weeks. I know the access to adequate COVID testing is going to be an issue that schools and teams struggle to deal with, but the jury is still out on whether or not schools will get to play a full season of sports this fall. As of now, the answer is “yes,” but that answer could change any given day, but I hope it doesn’t. I hope we as Mississippians can get a grip on this virus situation and give our athletes what they deserve: a chance to compete.