hopkinton-independent-logo2x
Hopkinton, MA
loader-image
Hopkinton, US
5:34 am, Sunday, June 14, 2026
60°F
84 %
Wind Gust: 9 mph
Clouds: 100%
Sunrise: 5:09 am
Sunset: 8:23 pm

SIGN UP TODAY!
BREAKING NEWS & DAILY NEWSLETTER





High school football in February? It might happen

by | Aug 18, 2020 | Sports, Z-Lead Image Front Page

The Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association’s COVID-19 Task Force on Monday recommended adjusting the entire high school sports calendar and moving football to a season that would run from late February through late April, according to a report from the Boston Herald.

Monday’s meeting was with Jeffrey Riley, the commissioner of the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, who could choose to adjust the recommendations before they are delivered to the MIAA board of directors on Wednesday.

Under the plan, the fall season would run from Sept. 14-Nov. 20, and it would be for soccer, fall gymnastics, cross country, field hockey, girls volleyball, swimming/diving (which some districts do in the fall, while others could continue to do in the winter) and golf.

The winter season would run from Nov. 30-Feb. 21 (ending a few weeks earlier than usual).

The new fourth season, for football, cheer and unified basketball, would run from Feb. 22-April 25.

The spring sports season would run from April 26-July 3, later than usual.

The plan also allows districts some flexibility to opt out of the fall season and move all fall sports to the new February-April season.

There likely will be no state championships, with games limited to regional opponents.

Monday’s news follows last week announcement by the Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs, which stated certain sports — football, basketball, ice hockey, wrestling, rugby, lacrosse and competitive cheer — are considered high-risk sports for the transmission of COVID-19. This is due to the nature of the sports, including repeated close physical contact.

There also has been some discussion about canceling all sports until January, then having three abbreviated seasons, starting with winter sports, then fall then spring.

0 Comments

Related Articles

Move In Style Athlete Spotlight: Reese Robledo

Playing No. 2 all season, Robledo went 13-2 while averaging a 44 and helping the Hillers to a second-place finish at the state championship. “She is a great captain, very helpful and supportive of the younger players, and always has a smile on her face,” coach Bill...

Athlete Spotlight-Robledo

HHS Sports Roundup: Softball loses thriller to Malden Catholic

The Hopkinton High School softball team rallied from a six-run deficit, taking a one-run lead after three consecutive home runs in the bottom of the sixth inning, but Malden Catholic fought back and eliminated the host Hillers with a 12-11 decision Wednesday...

Elyn Stomberg

Move In Style Athlete Spotlight: Mason Barros

A multi-time Tri-Valley League All-Star, Barros is the only boy to qualify for the state meet in three jumping events, according to HHS coach Mike Donahue. His personal bests include 21 feet in the long jump, 6 feet, 2 inches in the high jump, and a school-record...

Athlete Spotlight-Barros

HHS Sports Roundup: Girls golf state runner-up; baseball bows out

The Hopkinton High School girls golf team finished second at Monday’s state championship at Indian Pond Golf Club in Kingston. Walpole, the South sectional champion, won the title at 80 over par. Hopkinton, the North/Central/West sectional champion, was 17 shots...

HHS girls golf

HHS boys volleyball pleased with first tourney bid

The Hopkinton High School boys volleyball team earned a bid to the state tournament in its third season, doubling last year’s win total in the process. The Hillers had just six wins a year ago. This year, HHS notched 12 victories in the regular season, led by a...

Liam Grady
Key Storage 4.14.22