As we head into mid-December, the hopes of getting to play the state championship games are alive and well. This year has been unusual to say the least. During the regular season there were all kinds of hiccups and problems due to COVID-19 and restrictions on safely completing protocols to play. The majority of the teams across West Virginia have had a plethora of cancelled games, halted practices, and many other different problems due to the pandemic. With all of these problems that we have faced we can thankfully say that we have made it to the semi-finals.
Around the state there were restrictions on fan attendance by only letting immediate family members of the players to attend these games. There were no student sections and no band to play fight songs. It was something out of a movie it seemed. It was upsetting that we could not get the typical Friday night atmosphere around the state, but they had to do whatever it took in order to be able to play. Sacrifices were made, but it was all for the better. It was very interesting on how well you could hear the on-field acoustics during these games. To the cracking of pads and play calls of the coaches; you could hear it all. To me, I think it makes the games even more interesting. It was a visceral experience.
Teams were able to complete their regular seasons with an average of eight games played compared to the normal ten. Most teams got more than two or three bye weeks and I guess you could say that it helped some more than others. Players had more time to rest and rehabilitate any injuries that they may have had. Some coaches even expressed that the extra weeks off lit a fire under the team and made them even hungrier to get back out on the field.
Traveling was a big factor in this whole process. Teams would have to take multiple busses to games in order to follow social distancing guidelines mandated by the state of West Virginia. This led to more money being spent than usual and caused a few problems, but in the end it all worked out. Coaching staff and players who were not eligible to play were told that they had to wear some sort of mask or face covering while on the sidelines. Taking off your mask could have resulted in penalties and even fines regarding the severity of the instance. As rocky as this season has been, it could have not been any smoother. Without a doubt, WVSSAC handled all rules and guidelines to the teeth in order to maintain safety among the teams.
Speaking with Markus Phillips, WVSSAC official, gave me great insight on how well this whole process worked. There were some errors here and there, but we’re finally ready to look forward to the Super Six Championship games.
Regarding the state of the semi-finals right now, only two games have been played among all three divisions. Division 1-A matchup between St. Mary’s and Pendleton County was a fantastic game. Number four ranked St. Mary’s was declared the victor by a score of 21-7. We are still waiting for the second game to be scheduled in order to see who St. Mary’s will possibly face in the championship game.
Division 2-A also only had one game played in the semi-finals so far and that was a nail-biting matchup between Fairmont Sr. and Bluefield. Fairmont Sr. won by a score of 21-19 and will have to wait to see who they face because the second game between Robert C. Byrd and Oak Glen has been postponed at this moment.
Finally, we are just going to have to wait it out for the Division 3-A semi-finals because both games have been postponed until a later date. South Charleston will face off against Musselman and Bridgeport will take on Cabell Midland whenever the state deems it is appropriate to play again. All of the games that have been cancelled are hopefully planned to take place sometime before Christmas which leads to the state championship games possibly being played at the beginning of the new year.
Tanner Halstead 