New Mexico moves high school football to spring, Arizona delays season. Is Texas next?
High school seasons in the fall continue to be in jeopardy due to the coronavirus.
On Thursday, schools in El Paso will delay the start of school and football season until after Sept. 7.
The University Interscholastic League hasn’t announced changes statewide while a proposal in the Texas Association of Private and Parochial Schools suggests fall and spring seasons make a switch.
While Texas awaits, New Mexico did announce there won’t be any contact sports in the fall of 2020.
During a press conference on Thursday, Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham said football and soccer will be postponed until the spring.
Due to a spike in COVID-19 cases, New Mexico is the first state to push back football to the spring, according to MaxPreps.
“This has been a decision we’ve been doing a fair amount of handling on. Sports are incredibly important to the individuals who play them,” Grisham said. “These contact sports are just too high risk.”
Grisham also said that non-contact sports and volleyball are under review and could still begin in August.
Arizona hasn’t moved football to spring yet, but Gov. Doug Ducey’s order last week pushed the school year to Aug. 17. The state has also seen a spike in cases.
Football in Arizona was set to start Aug. 20. The delay will likely postpone or cancel at least 1-3 non-league or conference games, MaxPreps said.
While most states await an official decision, Utah confirmed its playing football in the fall.
The Utah High School Activities Association board of trustees voted unanimously to begin the fall season as scheduled while schools will continue to follow the state and local guidelines.
