NMAA approves Feb. 22 date for start of football practice

The New Mexico Activities Association (NMAA) has given the go-ahead for high schools in the Land of Enchantment to start football practice on Feb. 22 with games tentatively set to begin March 1. In an emergency meeting Monday morning, the NMAA board of directors unanimously voted 13-0 to approve the Feb. 22 start date. While the parameters of a regular season schedule hasn’t been set yet, teams are expected to play a five-game schedule. NMAA executive director Sally Marquez has been given the flexibility to adjust the schedule if events warrant. Marquez has also been given the authority by the board to determine if and when there will be playoffs. The Feb. 22 date for starting practice is, of course, subject to the approval of the governor’s office. The NMAA has sent a number of questions to the governor’s office for clarification, but no response has been received yet. The hybrid model is required in order for schools to participate in athletics on Feb. 22. In other words, some students must be back in the classroom before football can be played. Whether fans will be allowed to attend games has not been decided. Players will likely be required to wear face masks, but that mandate will be adjusted accordingly based on the state's public health guidelines No school will be penalized if they choose to opt out of any sports seasons this year, executive director Sally Marquez. She said during Monday’s meeting that the NMAA will accommodate schools for late entry just to get as many schools playing as possible. The NMAA will allow teams to drop into the schedule at any point throughout the season in the event they aren't ready to begin on Feb. 22. The NMAA also unanimously approved an exception to football’s out-of-season equipment rule allowing teams can start using shoulder pads and helmets right away. One positive test on a football team will result in the suspension of a season. Four positive tests within the student body will force  a school to shut down. Weather is also a concern. A few NMAA board members acknowledged some schools in northern New Mexico might not be able to play football right now because of the winter weather. https://twitter.com/PrepRedzoneNM/status/1356275274413850640 https://twitter.com/mjlopezdawgs/status/1356294675280191489 https://twitter.com/Caveman_Masher/status/1356270645210873856