hopkinton-independent-logo2x
Hopkinton, MA
loader-image
Hopkinton, US
1:57 pm, Tuesday, April 14, 2026
77°F
42 %
Wind Gust: 15 mph
Clouds: 26%
Sunrise: 6:06 am
Sunset: 7:25 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

HHS girls basketball coach Greco steps down after long run

Hopkinton High School girls basketball coach Mike Greco is stepping away from his position after 11 seasons at the helm and 23 years with the athletic program. “It was a really, really tough decision, one that I wrestled with for a long time, going back a number of...

HHS girls basketball 12-28-25

Photos: Team Hoyt Taper road race/walk

The annual Team Hoyt road race was held Saturday, starting and finishing at Hopkinton's Marathon School. This year's event was renamed the Team Hoyt Taper and moved up a month in an attempt to encourage Boston Marathon runners to participate.

Team Hoyt Taper

Move In Style Athlete Spotlight: Isabel Walker

The indoor team’s Unsung Hero winner, Walker won the long jump at the league meet, medaled in three events to help the Hillers win the Division 2 State Relays, and placed in the long jump at the D2 State Championship. She also ran on an All-American shuttle hurdles...

Athlete Spotlight-Walker

Move In Style Athlete Spotlight: Matt Pedroli

A forward, Pedroli recorded 16 goals and 24 assists in 22 games this season, including a hat trick in the Hillers’ playoff victory over Gloucester. “Matt has been the engine that has driven our offense since he arrived his freshman year,” coach Joshua Potter...

Athlete Spotlight-Pedroli
Key Storage 4.14.22