THURSDAY, AUGUST 27, 2020 |
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Everyone is in the playoffs for the first time in Iowa history. The six-week, free-for-all begins Oct. 16.
State leaders have placed bets on a fall season. Teams are determined to play.
NICK PETAROS JIM NELSON
Jim.nelson@wcfcourier.com
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rea high school football coaches are not fretting the changes brought upon the 2020 season because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Instead, they’re embracing the opportunity. In late July, the Iowa High School Athletic Association announced a revised 2020 schedule, reducing the regular season to a seven-game maximum. A six-week, single-elimination playoff is set to follow. All teams, from all classes will qualify for the postseason. Everybody’s in. Like with anything, area coaches have found pros and cons about the plan, but are universal in stating that they are happy for their kids to have the opportunity to play. “A month ago we didn’t know if it was going to be an opportunity or not,” Grundy Center head coach Travis Zajac said. “I give the state a lot of credit for coming up with a system that they did to allow us the opportunity to play.” “We are just glad to be on the field doing something that maybe other teams aren’t going to be able to do,” Independence head
coach Jason Putz added. The new plan allowed all schools the option to schedule five, six or seven regular season games within a window from Aug. 27 until Oct. 9. The six-week playoffs will start on Oct. 16. The state semifinals (Nov. 13-15) and state finals (20-21) remain as previously scheduled. Additionally, district games in Classes A through 3A remain in previously scheduled order, now beginning in week 3. The first two weeks are optional dates with each school responsible for lining up its opponents. Class 4A schedules were completely revamped by member schools with the state encouraging Please see PLAYOFFS, Page 12
nick.petaros@wcfcourier.com
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he goalposts have moved in 2020. High school football players are no longer only dreaming of winning district championships, filling the stat sheet and making a deep playoff runs. They’re taking nothing for granted. “Hopefully just having a season,” Cedar Falls linebacker Eli Mickey responded when asked what he’s looking forward to most about the upcoming year. “It’s my senior season and a lot of these guys’ senior season. I know they’d be heartbroken if we didn’t have it, so if we have it that’s honestly what I’m most looking forward to right now — just being able to play.” Iowa is one of 19 states scheduled to begin its high school football season without a delay due to the COVID-19 pandemic. A total of 14 states have canceled play this fall, while the others plan on a delayed start. “With everything going on, we’re just all excited to play,” Waterloo West linebacker Nate Ewell said. “There are a lot of schools that don’t get a chance to play, and we are, so I’m very fortunate and very happy for that.” The scene in practice is certainly different as teams prepare for their Aug. 28 openers. Please see COVID-19, Page 11
COURIER PHOTO ARCHIVES
Clockwise from top left: Grundy Center’s Jensen Klapp hugs teammate Cole Lehr after the Spartans defeated St. Ansgar in the state football semifinals; Columbus quarterback Carter Gallagher returns from a breakthrough 2019 season; Don Bosco’s team cheers as they receive the 2019 Eight-Player State Championship trophy after defeating Audubon 35-19; Cedar Falls’ Ryan Ostrich celebrates his second touchdown in the second quarter against Cedar Rapids Prairie. 00 1
THURSDAY, AUGUST 27, 2020
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wcfcourier.com
