Video: Ten new high schools via Google EarthThese campuses still have the new classroom smell.
Due to a recent spike in coronavirus cases, the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association will delay its high school football practice start date from Aug. 3 to Aug. 10.
In addition, as confirmed by NJSIAA Chief Operating Officer Colleen Maguire to MyCentralNJ.com, Week 0 games in New Jersey will be either canceled or rescheduled.
According to the newspaper, only 15 games involving 21 New Jersey teams played Week 0 games last season. A similar number was anticipated for 2020.
New Jersey has seen 2,321 new coronavirus cases reported in the past week.
The Aug. 28 out-of-state game between
Don Bosco Prep (Ramsey, N.J.) at Archbishop Hoban (Akron, Ohio) was already canceled due to possible travel restrictions due the COVID-19 pandemic.
The regular season is now scheduled to begin Sept. 3-5, but that could change as well as a NJSIAA COVID-19 Medical Advisory Task Force meeting is scheduled for July 13 to discuss further adjustments.
On June 19, the NJSIAA unleashed return-to-play guidelines that would allow student-athletes to begin training in the first of what will be multiple phases while preparing for the 2020-21 season.
Coaches in all sports are allowed to resume in-person contact for outdoor conditioning and drills with student-athletes beginning July 13, the new official start date for summer workouts, called the "summer recess period."
Don Bosco Prep won't be taking the field on Aug. 28 to open the season as originally planned. Bosco's season opener versus a New Jersey team is scheduled for Sept. 18 at Depaul Catholic (Wayne).
File photo by Pete Hagedoorn
