The Sunflower County Consolidated School District has officially canceled the 2020 football season, along with all other fall activities.
That includes cheerleading, band, choir and cross country.
This did not happen for lack of trying.
The SCCSD Board of Trustees voted two weeks ago to allow schools to move forward with an abbreviated fall sports schedule, but there were strict guidelines attached to that decision.
First, parents had to sign a waiver in order for their child to participate.
Over 94% of parents at Gentry High School and Thomas Edwards in Ruleville said they would agree to sign a waiver.
Second, each student participating had to be tested for COVID-19, and that is when the fall season hit a brick wall.
Testing began early last week, and by Friday, it was clear to district leaders even a shortened season was not in the cards.
“The results from Tuesday’s tests have been reported, and we have received information from the health department that several students have tested positive,” the district said in a release late last week. “With this information, and in consideration of all of our student athletes, coaches and community supporters, the Sunflower County Consolidated School District has decided to suspend all fall athletics, to include football, cheerleading, band, choir, and cross country. All athletic practices for upcoming seasons have been suspended as well. No athletic practices, scrimmages, training will take place within the district until further notice.”
With fall sports questions now answered, the district turns its eyes completely toward academics this week, as students returned to virtual classrooms on Tuesday.
But it won’t be long, however, until the future of arguably the district’s most popular sport comes into question, and that is basketball.
Both high schools routinely draw large crowds to their respective gyms, as Gentry High’s boys and girls are often a force throughout postseason play.
The Thomas Edwards girls basketball team made it all the way to the state championship game last season, losing to Senatobia.
SCCSD Superintendent Miskia Davis said it’s too early to tell what will happen come November when teams are set to tip off, but there’s definitely potential for the season to be delayed or canceled, as the district continues to place player, staff and fan safety above all else, she said.
“ Every sport being played, moving forward, will be predicated on what is safest for students, staff, and community,” Davis said. “Ideally, the numbers will have decreased to the point where we can get our children safely back in our classrooms. That is priority number one.”
Another factor in the decision making later in the fall will likely be whether there will be opponents.
This was a major factor in football, as many neighboring school districts had already bowed out of the 2020 season when the board voted to allow the season to take place in August.
According to state health experts, including State Health Officer Dr. Thomas Dobbs, COVID-19 numbers seem to be moving in the right direction after a mid-summer spike led to new restrictions from Gov. Tate Reeves.
If those numbers continue to improve, even with limited capacity, there is a good chance both athletics and in-person instruction could resume.
