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Metro Nashville teams allowed to resume games; football begins Sept. 25




Pearl-Cohn tailback Iven Dayton (3) carries the ball against McGavock during the 2019 Metro Jamboree.FILE/CARL EDMONDSON

Pearl-Cohn tailback Iven Dayton (3) carries the ball against McGavock during the 2019 Metro Jamboree.FILE/CARL EDMONDSON

Metro Nashville high school sports teams can finally begin their seasons.

Nashville mayor John Cooper announced during a press conference Thursday that football season will kick off next Friday, Sept. 25. The move came as Cooper also laxed restrictions on bars and restaurants and made plans to allow fans at upcoming Titans games amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Athletic events have been on hold since Metro Nashville schools began virtual classes on Aug. 4. Teams were only permitted to have conditioning and non-contact fundamental drills until contact practices were reinstated last week.

“As a district and a city, we weren’t ready for competitive sports or other extracurricular activities when school started more than seven weeks ago,” MNPS Director Adrienne Battle said. “As seen in high schools across the state and country, the health risk was too high in our community for contact sports or other close gatherings of student athletes.

“But now, after a long summer and a lot of progress against COVID-19, we’ve determined that our teams can play in a way that’s safer for our players and coaches.”

 

 

Golf is already underway. Girls soccer games will start on Wednesday, Sept. 23. Cross country and volleyball teams have been practicing and can start their seasons soon, according to Battle.

Battle also said fans will not be allowed at games. However, football games will be streamed online and media members will be permitted to attend.

“While the health conditions mean that we’re not to let fans attend high school games yet due to the continuing risk of bringing a lot of people together, we will allow cheerleaders and marching bands to be at games in a way that will provide for both social distancing and a bit of game time atmosphere,” she said.

Metro Nashville high school students aren’t expected to return to in-person classes until January 2021. In the meantime, Battle acknowledged that athletes and coaches must do their part to make sure games are played safely.

“It’s important to note that we will expect our teams to continue to practice all safety measures, observe social distancing and comply with all guidance related to isolation and quarantining due to positive cases and close contact, which could result in cancellation of games or seasons,” Battle said.

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