Fall sports in Jefferson County are the next round of activities to be altered or cancelled due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
Jefferson High School was to have started the season off at home Friday against Florence, a non-conference team. That season opener, along with many other games, were nixed by the Jefferson County Health Officer Joan Van Duynhoven, who has ordered all non-conference games for high school varsity and JV football, volleyball and cross-country be canceled.
Instead, the Panthers varsity football team will begin its fall season squaring off against the Whitehall Trojans on Friday, Sept. 4, 7 p.m. in Whitehall — replacing a canceled contest against Huntley Project, from Yellowstone County.
The volleyball game also scheduled for Aug. 28 in Choteau has been canceled.
The cross-country meet in Boulder is still on for Saturday, Aug. 29, 9:30 a.m. at Veterans Park.
In considering the upcoming fall sports season, Van Duynhoven referenced guidance from the Centers for Disease Control in an Aug. 14 initial directive to school officials.
“Traveling outside of the local community may increase the chances of exposing players, coaches, and fans to COVID-19, or unknowingly spreading it to others. This is the case particularly if a team from an area with high levels of COVID-19 competes with a team from an area with low levels of the virus. Youth sports teams should consider competing only against teams in their local area (e.g., neighborhood, town or community).”
Van Duynhoven is authorized by Montana statute to regulate events that pose a health risk.
Jefferson High School Athletic Director Dan Sturdevant said the initial directive, which he had not seen before it was sent to the school on Aug. 14, prompted a meeting on Aug. 18 between Jefferson and Whitehall high school officials, Jefferson County Health Board Chairperson Christina Binkowski and Van Duynhoven.
JHS Superintendent Tim Norbeck said the initial directive was vague and clarification was needed.
At the meeting it was decided that everyone needed to get together and agree on a way forward, said Sturdevant. It was after that meeting that Van Duynhoven issued a final directive on Aug. 20, he said.
In an email to the Monitor, Van Duynhoven said she limited the games to conference opponents as a way to reduce exposure as much as possible. She said it was an alternative to canceling all competition, as she realizes sports bring energy to the school.
“I am trying to be somewhere in the middle,” she said.
The combined Boulder and Clancy elementary school football team, meanwhile, has reduced its schedule from nine to five games, and begins its season on Sept. 8 against Townsend. The game is at Clancy at 6 p.m. The opponents this year are limited to Townsend, Deer Lodge, Three Forks, Whitehall and Anaconda.
Montana City School is deferring the start of its sports season to Sept. 21, and limiting competing teams to Clancy, Boulder and East Helena with no tournaments. Boulder is waiting to start volleyball and cross-country until Sept. 21, according to Principal and Superintendent Maria Pace. Clancy officials plan to meet on Sept. 9 to consider its volleyball and cross-country season, said Coach Ryan Fetherston.
The high school has also approved a spectator policy that coincides with the phase the state in is, currently, Phase 2.
During phase 2, each Jefferson High School athlete will be allowed two spectators to attend a home game, and those individuals must report to the main gate and sign in. Spectators must wear a mask, according to the policy.
Spectators from the visiting team will not be allowed in.
Those who are health compromised, over the age of 65 or have COVID-19 symptoms are asked to stay at home. All home games will be broadcast on Jefferson County radio.
Boulder Elementary School is setting up a website that will allow for live streaming as no parents will be allowed at games, said Pace at an Aug. 20 special Trustees meeting. Clancy is also not allowing spectators, said Fetherston.
“We’re trying to minimize risks as much as possible,” said Pace, adding that it could change as the season progresses.
