Things are changing by the moment because of Covid-19 and the High School Sports season continues to be at the forefront. On Monday afternoon, the Colonial League decided to delay the start of the fall season, much like the East Penn Conference announced a couple of weeks ago. Meanwhile, the Schuylkill League is moving ahead with fall sports.
Colonial League President Bryan Geist said, “With new guidance from our health partners, the League decided to make a rollout strategy with different sports.” The first league football game will take place on September 25 while soccer and field hockey will get going on September 18. Golf will be the first to start on August 27, followed by tennis on August 31, and cross country on September 11. Schedules are expected to be out by the end of the week.
The Schuylkill League will get the ground running on time. President Steve Toth says, “As of now, we are moving forward with the PIAA recommendation to to begin fall sports on time and hope to have our schedules in place by midweek.” Football will play an 8-game football schedule beginning September 11th with two exceptions. Two teams will have delay starts with Minersville starting September 25 playing 6 games while Tri-Valley will start October 2 and play 5 games.
Also, announced on Monday is that the Colonial League and Schuylkill League will put their scheduling cooperative for football on hold until next year. The unanimous vote will now have each league reschedule their league games with the possibility of some independent games between one another if the schedule allows.
Geist said, “I think it was the right move for both leagues. Everyone has a comfort level within their own league.” Toth added, “It’s in the best interest to move forward individually as leagues in a cooperative agreement. We want to continue this in the future because our agreement really does provide the best for our student-athletes of both leagues. The competitive balance and the competitive advantage and benefits for doing this is better than anything we can provide with each others leagues.”
Outside the Lehigh Valley, the Philadelphia Catholic League, which is the home of powerhouse teams like St. Joe’s Prep, Archbishop Wood, and LaSalle College High School announced this afternoon that they are cancelling the fall season.
