CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. (CLARKSVILLENOW) – The TSSAA’S Board of Control met Wednesday and voted to pass new regulations and contingency plans for fall sports.

Rules that were adopted include:

  • Mandatory daily temperature checks for all coaches, players, and team personnel prior to every practice. No coach, player, or team personnel member may participate in practice or a contest without first completing appropriate COVID-19 screening.
  • No scrimmages, jamborees, 7-on-7 practice, or other types of practice with other teams are to be permitted. Team-versus-team competition may take place only at official contests.
  • At each contest, a symptom checklist will be posted at the spectator entrance(s) stating that anyone who has experienced any of the symptoms during the preceding seven days will be turned away.
  • Fan attendance will be permitted, but masks are to be worn at all times. Member schools are encouraged to limit fan attendance to a number that will allow adequate social distancing.

A full list of rules can be found at https://tssaa.org/returntoplay.

Matthew Gilliespie of the TSSAA also announced the implementation of the Option 2-Hybrid plan, which calls for a potential rolling schedule in accordance with Governor Bill Lee’s current executive order.

Under this plan, non-region games would be cancelled and region games would be rescheduled each week the order holds in the month of August.

If the order isn’t lifted before Aug. 30, the Option 2 plan would then be implemented, featuring an eight-game regular season with 16 playoff teams included in each bracket.

“I will answer this way,” said Rossview football coach Todd Hood. “People are confused enough as it is anyway. The hybrid plan didn’t help at all in that area.”

Despite his lack of enthusiasm to the recent news, Hood is keeping a business-like approach when it comes to his current philosophy for the upcoming season.

“Plan for September 18th for our first game and let’s work toward that,” Hood said. “That way we all know when the first game is and have scrimmages to prepare for game one.”

Northeast football coach Brandon Clark doesn’t believe the late start to the year will have any bearing on whether or not his team can perform well in 2020.

“I don’t think the later start date will have a negative or positive impact on the season,” Clark said. “I think if we as adults stay positive about it, the players will as well. I am looking forward to the first game being in hopefully a little cooler weather than the usual late August heat.”

Hood expressed his concerns on how limiting fan attendance and closing concessions might negatively impact home games.

“Money is vital for every program,” Hood said. “Limiting fans could be a huge blow to any program and more to some than others.”

Northwest football coach Neil Furnish echoed the sentiments of his counterpart.

“One worry I have is the financial aspect of the minimizing of crowds and concessions,” Furnish said. “That funds the majority of our program. Also the ability to work with someone else before we have to officially play a game is a concern, but everyone is in the same situation with that.”

Furnish understands safety is of the utmost importance, but believes not allowing certain drills to be conducted is putting his players behind the eight ball.

“My personal opinion is that we can do a version of 7-on-7 within our own practices without making sustainable contact,” Furnish said. “This is a part that I wish we could get revised and implemented. No one has to touch one another and we can still teach areas and concepts with moving parts.”

According to Clark, his Northeast family is making the best out of their current situation and adhering to the new guidelines in place that have been handed down by the TSSAA.

“I feel like our district, parents and players are doing a good job of going above and beyond of enforcing the TSSAA’s new policies,” Clark said. “Obviously these are uncertain times and our lives have all been altered in some way or another. We all have to do our part in this right now. This will not last forever and I am optimistic that it will pass eventually.”