New guidelines keep HS sports on hold until Jan. 25, tier system

It seems that every week the fate of the return of high school football in California changes. On Monday, the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) said it will use the state’s color-coded tiered system for COVID-19 monitoring as part of the map for what sports will be permitted for competition. The guidelines say that athletic competition could begin as early as January 25 with facial coverings. “Everyone, for a long time now, has said, ‘We just want to see the updated guidance,’ ” CIF State executive director Ron Nocetti told Dan Albano of the OC Register. “I think this is a step in the right direction, and now we need the opportunity to review this guidance with our sections so we can communicate with our member schools.” https://twitter.com/SGVNSports/status/1338658155371229185?s=20 Sports are divided into low-, moderate- and high-contact categories, with consideration given to if they are played indoors or outdoors. Football was slotted as a high-contact sports that needs to be played in the orange tier. Currently, nearly all counties in the state are in the purple (widespread risk) tier, in which cross country is the only fall sport that would be allowed to play. Some in the Southern California football community have expressed their displeasure at the update. “I understand that they think they have to tie this to tiers, but we have (about) 40 states across the nation that weren’t tied into tiers and we’re allowed to have athletics go forward,” Mark Cunningham, Irvine Unified athletic director, told Albano. “What they are basically saying is that they don’t think that coaches are capable of making sure that they’re providing a safe environment." Cunningham is also a football coach at Corona del Mar and was asked about football specifically. “I personally don’t think it can be played, (but) I’m hoping it can be,” he said. Torrey Pines linebacker and Boise State commit [player_tooltip player_id="25116" first="Marco" last="Notarainni"] voiced his opinion on Twitter. https://twitter.com/Marco_N08/status/1338945474376519681?s=20