GHSA could change start of high school football season again

The Georgia High School Association said Wednesday that the start of the high school football season—which has already been delayed by two weeks to early September—could change again.

The GHSA said while it’s still planning to start play the week of Sept. 4, that date “could change based on COVID-19 data.”

That statement came after GHSA officials met with its sports medicine advisory committee, and after the AJC reported more than 800 positive COVID-19 cases among high school athletes since early June.

The schools were not identified and there wasn’t a specific breakdown among sports. Softball and volleyball seasons have started, and cross country also will be competing as scheduled in the fall.

Some football teams have cancelled or postponed their seasons in Georgia, mostly outside of metro Atlanta. Some school districts, including Clayton County, are delaying starts to fall sports.

Cobb school superintendent Chris Ragsdale has said previously he would follow GHSA guidance for athletics, although other extracurricular activities have been cancelled.

The GHSA didn’t indicate what specific data it was looking at, nor did it detail what its sports medicine advisory board advised.

Georgia still is regarded as having high numbers of new confirmed COVID-19 cases, with 3,660 more reported Wednesday by the Georgia Department of Public Health, and 226,159 overall.

Of those overall cases, a total of 11,763 have occurred between the ages of 10-17.

This is what GHSA also released Wednesday afternoon:

As numbers dictate over the next two weeks, a decision will be forthcoming with regard to the football start date.

The GHSA staff has contingency plans to cover all start and restart scenarios.

Our goal continues to be to provide sports and activities for our students as soon as possible with safety being the top priority.

There is always a possibility of postponement based on the data and advice from our medical professionals.

Last week the GHSA board of trustees cancelled preseason football scrimmages and postponed cheerleading and one-act play competitions, which are conducted indoors during the fall, to the spring.

Five of the six East Cobb football teams are scheduled to play during the weekend of Sept. 4, including the Kell-Walton game in the Corky Kell Classic that day that’s been moved to the Walton campus.