Haverford senior Will Higson earned All-Delco honors last fall for his performance at the linebacker position. He and his teammates have been working out in anticipation of playing this season. MEDIANEWS GROUP PHOTO
By Matt Smith
As Central League athletes await decision on the future of fall sports, football players and coaches have stayed busy with voluntary and socially distant practice sessions.
Friday was supposed to mark the beginning of the high school football regular season. The PIAA delayed the start of fall sports in July, but announced it will move forward with a season last week. The PIAA is leaving it up to schools and leagues to decide if they want to back out due to concerns over the coronavirus pandemic.
In Southeastern Pennsylvania, five leagues have suspended fall sports, but will explore the possibility of holding a fall season after Jan. 1.
The county’s Central League contingent — Garnet Valley, Haverford, Marple Newtown, Penncrest, Radnor, Ridley, Springfield, Strath Haven and Upper Darby — is holding out hope for a football season sooner rather than later. In Delco, the Central League is essentially the only league of schools that hasn’t suspended fall sports. Sun Valley is a member of the Ches-Mont League, which delayed the start of fall sports until September.
Earlier this week, superintendents of Delaware County schools issued a statement supporting interscholastic athletes in the 2020-21 school year. The release also stated that a decision on Central League sports will be made by Monday.
