By Jackie Pollack
Section 1 has implemented several new rules to help ensure the safety of athletes during this fall sports season. However, despite everyone’s best efforts, some games have been cancelled because of Coronavirus cases in local towns.
It is mandated that every player, regardless of the sport, must wear a mask during all games and practices. However, in both soccer and field hockey, there are two scheduled breaks throughout games where the athletes can get water and take off their masks.
Liam Pakola, senior captain of the boys varsity soccer team, said, “COVID has definitely had an impact on our season. A few of our games have been cancelled since the other team’s school had cases. Additionally, we are playing into November since we started late. However, the season has been great, and I’m happy that we are able to play, considering the circumstances.”
Some teams, like soccer, divide their team into smaller groups called “pods” during practices. The purpose of this is to minimize the number of players having to interact with each other for health reasons.
One of the most significant changes to this year’s fall season is that each player on the team is allowed only two spectators. These spectators must sign up to attend the game and are health screened by the event staff before watching. Fans are given a green wristband once they check-in, indicating that they are allowed to be at the game.
These precautions have proven to be effective with no cases reported in Irvington so far. However, Hastings recently cancelled their games because of a positive Coronavirus test in their middle school. These events will likely be rescheduled.
Though homecoming had a different look this year, it brought teams even closer together.
Varsity girls soccer captain, Lara Greene, said, “It was definitely very different than what I normally would categorize as a homecoming game. Since my sophomore year I have been looking forward to playing the Friday homecoming game, and this year I was supposed to be given the opportunity to do so. Our homecoming game was also considered our senior game, so my teammates made it a really special day. I was so appreciative of all the underclassmen and juniors on my team that still did everything they could to make it as special and normal as possible for the seniors.”
