For a number of athletic programs across West Michigan, High School football returns this evening after the season had originally been shut down due to safety concerns. The high school football season, along with a number of other high school sports, had been either cancelled or postponed until the spring due to the COVID-19 pandemic. That changed two weeks ago, when Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer eased restrictions on an executive order that allowed the high school football season to resume.
Now numerous coaches and players across Michigan, who once thought that the fall season had been lost, will lace 'em up and kickoff Friday night under the lights--even if the crowds will be at limited capacity.
Todd Conrad is the Athletic Director for Mona Shores Public Schools—whose high school football team won its first state championship last season. He says for the chance to get to come back and defend the title means everything for the school’s seniors.
“To know that, if things stay the same, that you are going to get to be able to play your senior year of football, particularly at our school…is huge for those kids,” Conrad said.
Safety measures will be required, including the wearing of masks, and players are only allowed two guests to come and watch the games in person. However, the MHSAA lifted live streaming restrictions, so anyone in the stands can broadcast the game live of Facebook.
Mona Shores takes on longtime rival and “sworn enemy” Reeths-Puffer High School tonight.
