COVID-19 makes football season uncertain
photo by Chad Mitchell Photography
Even though it is uncertain due to COVID-19, the MHS football team and coach are still hopeful they will be able to begin in the summer.
With the constant changes in high school sports due to COVID-19, it is uncertain what the plan will be for Meridian High School’s football season. The team is supposed to begin practice on June 15. However, IHSA has not yet provided any updates and there is no ruling on when the season can officially begin.
“I don’t think we will have summer football due to COVID-19, but it will not stop us from working towards our goal of being the best we can be,” Storm Caroll, MHS junior said.
Micah Sheppard, MHS head football coach, believes the team will have around 45 players total.
Another large part of the football team is the Adopt-a-Player program. Sheppard creates a spreadsheet of the current season’s players. He then sends the spread sheet out to teachers and staff to “adopt” a player.
“I’ve had the pleasure of adopting Wyatt Latham for the past two years and hope to continue the fun with him next year should we get to have a football season,” said Jennifer Greenwood, MHS Restorative Justice Coordinator.
Many teachers follow the player through their senior season. Their job is to encourage their player and support them, especially on game days.
“The teachers go out of their way to get us stuff and it makes me feel supported,” CJ Scott, MHS senior said.
When e-learning began, Sheppard was worried about how it would affect eligibility for players.
“It looks as if 98% of football players have completed what has been asked of them. The other 2% will finish up this week,” Sheppard said.
Students were required to finish at least 60% of the assigned work for each class to avoid an incomplete for the class.
“I don’t think e-learning will impact the numbers. I think everyone who loves the game of football and the people who are committed don’t worry about the people who change their mind about playing,” Scott said.
Despite the current situation, most players are still hopeful for their season.
“I feel like football will start in June, but all football players know it’s already started and have been putting in the work,” Scott said.
Grace Koehler • Sep 11, 2020 at 12:10 pm
I really hope that we can have a football season this year, because I know that a lot of students at meridian look forward to going to the games. Its sad that the teachers can’t adopt a player this year.
Wyatt R Wilcox • Sep 11, 2020 at 12:09 pm
Very good articular, hope that we still have a football season and that this stuff does not continue. I guess we will see if the football program continues.
Greg Gallup • Sep 11, 2020 at 12:08 pm
I was planning on playing football in the fall this year but because of covid-19 we most likely wont be playing untill spring. Hopefuuly everything goes to plan and we can atleast play in the spring.
Faith • Sep 11, 2020 at 12:07 pm
I really hope that we can get back on the filed in 2020-2021 school year. I hope that if some of the boys are doing E-learning that they are keeping there grades up.
Wesley Jaukkuri • Sep 11, 2020 at 12:04 pm
WIthout football season it wil be very hard on seniors and there chance of their final year playing football. Im sure its also hard for players eligibility when they have to do online that isnt always the easiest. Hopefully sometime this school year we can get football going GO HAWKS!!
Trey • Sep 11, 2020 at 10:17 am
The football season means a lot to the fans and I know everyone’s gonna want to be able to go out and watch their team compete and win. I know covid is bad like really bad but I don´t think the season should be cancelled because of it. The season means a lot more than people think to the students and every year they look forward to playing.
Hunter Delatte • Sep 11, 2020 at 9:24 am
I was also worried about not having a football season this fall. With the football season being postponed, it gives all the players a longer amount of time to get stronger than they have ever been with all the extra time to lift.
kyle • Sep 11, 2020 at 9:23 am
The adopt the player is a very good way to show support
Kinze Venters • Sep 11, 2020 at 9:21 am
I really hope we get a football season.