JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — High school football in Florida is back. Monday was the first-day fall sports could start full practices.
Action News Jax watched as the football team at Robert E. Lee High School took the field on a warm Monday afternoon. As soon as the first whistle blew, the team was excited. Head coach OJ Small said his team has been conditioning since June and now it’s time to focus on the fundamentals. “The kids are looking forward to getting into the season and just working,” Coach Small said.
The Florida High School Athletic Association voted two weeks in favor of starting fall practices Aug. 24. FHSAA fall sports include football, cross country, golf, swimming and diving, and volleyball.
The football practice at Robert E. Lee High school looked and felt somewhat different from what the athletes are probably used to. The team is not huddling, all coaches wore masks including some players, and they tried to keep their social distancing during drills as well as water breaks. Even though this isn’t going to be a normal season, coaches and players said just being able to play is a small victory.
Coach Small said the real challenge will be trying to pull off a season safely. “It’s just about getting the kids to understand the why and, you know, why we have to do it this way. Being disciplined and staying on top of them and making sure we are all trying to stay safe because if one or two get it, it could spread fast,” Coach Small said.
High schools must decide by Sept. 18th if they plan on competing in state series playoffs.
Cox Media Group
