Football Set for February in Massachusetts

The Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association (MIAA) announced late last week that football, along with other postponed fall sports, can begin on February 22.

The “Fall II” season is expected to run from the 22nd through April 25 and will include cheerleading, indoor track, and unified basketball as well as football. No sport will hold MIAA-sponsored postseason and school districts will have the choice to opt-out, according to a report from NBC10-Boston.

Additional sports that school districts did not hold in the “Fall I” season, like cross-country, dance, golf, field hockey, soccer, swimming and diving, and volleyball, can also be held in the “Fall II” season if the school district chooses.

“We made adjustments in the fall and had a successful first season. We made additional modifications for the winter and our student-athletes have been actively engaged since December. Now we are hopeful that with the guidance from the Governor’s office and of [the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs], along with the work of our various committees, that we will be able to have a safe and successful Fall II Season,” MIAA President Jeffrey Granatino said in a statement.

Below are some of the modifications approved by the MIAA Board of Directors for the football season, according to a report from The Boston Herald.

Competition/Game Management

● Facial coverings are worn at all times during play and on the sidelines; Tube style “gaiters” are not permitted. Balaclava style face coverings that are multi-layered and are extended over the full head are permitted.

● “Splash guards” are acceptable in addition to face masks

● No pregame/postgame handshakes

● Teams rosters for game day competition on the field cannot exceed 45 players and a maximum of 6 coaches. Teams are required to delineate with a physical marker (cone, spray paint etc.) the social distancing requirements (6 ft) for their players and coaches while on the sideline area.