TSSAA Lays Out Possible Plans for High School Football

Marty Allison

Dickson Sports Media

With the recent State of Emergency extension by Tennessee Governor Bill Lee, the Tennessee Secondary Schools Athletic Association, has been busy trying to put together various options for the 2020 football season.

Governor Lee came out with the latest executive order and it goes through August 29. What the extended order essentially means for high school football in the state is that teams cannot compete or

have contact after the dead period ends, but it doesn't call for a complete shut down. Teams will still be allowed to lift weights, condition, and work on fundamental drills. Even cheerleading falls under the Governor's emergency extension that says no to contact sports.

"I'm for guaranteeing as many games as possible for athletes, and still have something to play toward in the end." said Creek Wood Head Coach Houston Thiel. "As they (options) were presented today, I think option 2 checks both of those boxes."

Despite the T.S.S.A.A. diligently working on a possible solution, questions remain.

"I still have questions about what a schedule mandated from the T.S.S.A.A. would look like," added Thiel. "It describes an 8-week region schedule. We only have six region opponents, so would we play someone twice or would we fill the other two slots on our own."

Below are the four options for football that were discussed today. The T.S.S.A.A. Board of Control will meet again on July 8 to make a decision on football.

1. If the executive order expires on Aug. 29, practice would begin on Aug. 30 with the first game on Sept. 18. All regular season schedules for schools would be replaced by the state office with a seven-week region schedule for all schools. Playoffs would be conducted as usual, but schools that do not make the playoffs would be able to play two extra games after the regular season.
2. If the executive order expires on Aug. 29, practice could begin on Aug. 30 with the first game on Sept. 18. All regular season schedules for schools would be replaced by the state office with an eight-week region schedule. The regular season would extend into Week 12 and the first-round of the playoffs would be eliminated (only region champions and runners-up would qualify). Teams that do not qualify for the playoffs would be able to play two extra games after the regular season.
3. If the executive order expires on Aug. 29, practice would begin on Aug. 30 with the first game on Sept. 18. Schools would keep their current schedule and begin play with the Week 5 game on September 18. Games scheduled against member schools for Week 3 would be played in Week 12. Games scheduled against member schools for Week 4 would be played in Week 13. Only region champions would advance to the playoffs beginning in Week 14. Schools that do not qualify for the playoffs would be able to play one extra game.
4. Cancel playoffs and championships. Start practice on August 30. Schools play games as scheduled beginning with Week 5 games on September 18. Move games against member schools from Weeks 1-4 to Weeks 12-15.