CHEROKEE COUNTY, Ga. — The Georgia high school football season is officially here with the 2020 Corky Kell Classic kicking off Wednesday night. Despite the ongoing pandemic, coaches and players can’t wait to get back on the field.
“It’s been a long time coming but we are really excited,” said West Forsyth coach Dave Svehla. “They’re ready to go, they haven’t put on a uniform pads and a helmet against competitors since last November.”
Svehla’s team will face off against Mays High School in one of several games happening Wednesday night.
Channel 2′s Tom Regan and Channel 2′s Alison Mastrangelo were in Cherokee County for the sold-out meeting between Cherokee and Carver high schools.
The capacity was limited to 1,000 tickets to allow more space to separate. It’s just one of the many changes both the fans and teams can expect with the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
“We have to prepare really differently. We have to go through a lot of guidelines. It’s going to be different, but I’m really excited to play,” said North Gwinnett’s Barrett Carter.
“It’s a crazy world we are living in right now, but everyone is going with the flow and making the most of everything, cherishing everything we have,” said Rabun High’s Gunner Stockton.
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COVID-19 infections among players have forced about 60 high schools to postpone the start of their football season. About 1,000 student-athletes tested positive out of some 400,000 playing sports statewide.
“We are constantly looking at the numbers. We are seeing an overall drop in case positivity, things are looking pretty good for us right now,” said Georgia High School Association executive director Robin Hines.
Local school districts are calling the shots on when to start their season and if necessary put it on pause. For young players and coaches, that uncertainty can be hard to take.
“You don’t know when they will be like, shutting it down. You treat every practice, like it’s your last day,” Roswell player Dillon Holifield said.
“When you dream about being a head coach, COVID is not in the dream, not part of the guidelines you’re used to. So it’s been challenging, but I think it’s a good learning experience to hit the ground running,” Roswell coach Christopher Prewett said.