But it’s not exactly going to be Friday Night Lights as usual.
“We’re going to tackle the fight,” said Colby Pack, athletic director at Fulda High, where the football team is paired with Heron Lake-Okabena. “I just hope people are receptive to what we have to do. It’s not our choice to limit fans.”
Mindful of Covid-19 concerns, the MSHSL decided in early August to postpone the football season until the spring. It was a decision largely unpopular with coaches and players, and the governing body of Minnesota prep sports decided last week to change its collective mind.
The MSHSL is permitting teams to play six regular-season games, starting Oct. 9, followed by a two-week postseason. A limit of 250 fans will be enforced. Masks on the sidelines and social distancing in the stands are expected to be the norm.
Rex Metzger coached the Hills-Beaver Creek Patriots to the Nine-Man section championship game last season and has many talented players returning.
“Our kids know football should be played in the fall,” Metzger said. “That’s what they want to do. Everyone is very excited about the season.”
At Jackson County Central, coach Tom Schuller’s powerful program is also fired up to hit the field. Of course, this is a different situation than any Schuller has encountered in his three decades at Jackson.
From locker room cleansing, to practice protocols, and even down to water breaks, there are different safeguards in place in hopes of warding off the virus.
“We’ve really got to be flexible,” Schuller said.
As happy as fans and players are about a regular season, the lack of a state tournament is a bit depressing.
“It’s disappointing for people around the state,” Metzger said. “If kids are able to play a regular season they should get the chance to play in a state tournament. That’s what you work for.
“The kids deserve to have that chance, but there’s nothing we can do.”
Schuller’s Jackson club lost in the Class 3A semifinals of the Prep Bowl state tournament last November.
“It was just a great experience to play up there,” he said. “I’m glad our kids didn’t miss out on that.”
While the past month has taught fans that nothing is a sure thing in these uncertain times, it appears football players will indeed have to settle for an abbreviated schedule and no state championship games.
To be sure, it’s not perfect. Monday’s decision didn’t please everyone. Nor could it have.
“There’s a lot of excitement to be back on the field, just to be playing football again,” Metzger said.
A limit of 250 fans, which doesn’t include the players, workers or media, means there will be plenty of room in the bleachers. Each district will decide how the 250 tickets will be split between the teams playing.
At smaller schools in southwest Minnesota, folks don’t always sit outside anyway.
“At our field in Hills and a lot of other Nine-Man schools, people pull up to the fence in their cars and sit in there most of the game,” Metzger said.
Scheduling, both of games and officials, has been a concern for athletic directors. Pack is both an AD and a football referee.
He worries more about taking care of the fans.
“It’s going to be a bit of a logistical nightmare,” Pack said. “There will be people who want to come to the games who may not be allowed to go. But it’s out of our hands. Hopefully people will understand that. Perhaps we can figure out ways to get creative and livestream the games on Facebook Live or something.”
Staring at the computer isn’t quite like enjoying the sights and sounds of high school football under Friday Night Lights. But it’s better than nothing.
That also has to be the mantra of high school football players, who after months of having their hopes and dreams darkened by an unseen enemy, finally received a ray of light and an OK to play. For the athletes, it’s certainly good news.
Said Schuller: “We’re going to try to take advantage of this opportunity, to be as careful as we can both as players and coaches in hope we can complete as many games as they give us.
“We’re taking it one practice at a time, like I’m sure everybody in the state is. There are a lot of things to adjust to, but our kids are very excited to play football.”
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