Marysville High School linemen go through drills during the team’s recent gridiron camp. The Ohio High School Athletic Association has called off preseason scrimmages for prep teams due to an increase in coronavirus cases. (Journal-Tribune photo by Tim Miller)
High school football throughout the state took another COVID-19 hit on Tuesday when the Ohio High School Athletic Association (OHSAA) suspended preseason scrimmages between opposing schools.
The scrimmages were called off due to the uptick in coronavirus cases throughout the state.
The OHSAA’s action has left Marysville High School head coach Brent Johnson feeling more uneasy about the 2020 campaign.
“This news certainly doesn’t bode well for us,” he said during a telephone interview this morning with the Journal-Tribune. “We’re ready to start preseason practices on Aug. 3, but it’s unknown what’s going to happen.”
Fall sports teams are permitted to begin practices this coming Saturday, Aug. 1.
The MHS football team decided to wait until the following Monday to begin practices.
Johnson had previously said it didn’t make sense to him to practice twice on Saturday, take Sunday off and then return on Monday.
“We had a good two weeks of camp and I like where we are at this time,” he said.
The Monarchs were slated to host Dublin Scioto for a scrimmage on Thursday, Aug. 13.
Their preview scrimmage was set for Thursday, Aug. 20 at Central Crossing.
There have been plenty of rumors swirling about as to the fate of the fall sports season.
Johnson addressed one that includes shortening the 10-game regular season with a start later in the fall.
“If that were to happen, I wouldn’t want to practice for eight consecutive weeks before we would play a game,” he said. “I don’t think that would be good for the kids.”
Johnson said if that would happen to be the case, he would be in favor of a two-week break in practice sessions in order to keep players fresh for any possible delayed opening of the campaign.
The Monarch coach also said it’s unknown what other schools may do as far as football practice.
News reports this morning indicated that Reynoldsburg High School has shut down its football practices for the present time.
Despite all of the questions in circulation, Johnson echoes the sentiments of coaches throughout the state.
“The prospect of the season is tough to figure out,” he said. “However, all of the coaches want a season to be played for the kids.
“Right now, we have to proceed as if we are going to have a season,” said Johnson. “We will charge on until we’re told otherwise.”