The Mid-South Association of Independent Schools is planning to start football season on time.
While the governing body of the Mississippi Public Schools is going with a two-week delay to the season due to concerns in rising cases of the COVID-19 pandemic in the state.
Count Bo Milton and Tripp McCarty as two coaches who are in full appreciation for what the MAIS is doing to keep things as scheduled.
“I really think we are going to get a full football season in. Our association values what sports give to these kids and having all fall sports is a priority,” said McCarty, head coach at Pillow Academy.
Milton, the head coach at Carroll Academy, feels the same.
“I feel really confident that we play as scheduled in the MAIS. I have tried to stay in touch with people with more knowledge than myself on where we are headed, and I have been told that we, the MAIS, will move forward with our season.”
Pillow and Carroll, along with all other member institutions, start fall practice on July 27. The Mustangs open Aug. 21 with a trip to Jackson Academy.
Milton’s Rebels crank up the same night, on the road against Kirk Academy in Grenada.
The MAIS has suggested first day of school be Aug. 10, with July 31 marking the first play date for fast-pitch softball, volleyball and girls soccer.
Both coaches are pleased with the shape their kids were in when they finally got to return to summer workouts.
“Our kids have been committed to everything we have done since starting back on May 18th. We knew there would be some issues with vacations and other things, but the kids have done a great job of communicating any issues.”
McCarty admits he wasn’t sure what to expect but was pleasantly surprised with the shape of his kids after missing so many scheduled team workouts.
“I was very unsure of what our guys were going to look like coming back. Our guys came back in pretty dang good shape and hit the ground running,” said the PA coach. “It has been a different offseason, but I think our guys maximized it.”
McCarty and Milton said their schools are doing everything the MAIS has asked in relation to safety concerns.
“I think the season will be somewhat different because we are putting more of a support staff together. We are using more managers to handle all the individual water bottles,” Milton said. “We will have different types of pre-game and post-game activities. But I think once the game starts, it will be football as normal.”
In the MHSAA, football practice can officially begin on Aug. 17 and teams are allowed to open the season on Sept. 4. Football games originally scheduled for the first two weeks of the season (August 21-28) have been canceled and will not be rescheduled.
Also announced this week by the MHSAA, practice for cross country, swimming and volleyball can begin Aug. 10 and then open their seasons on Aug. 24.
nContact Bill Burrus at 581-7237 or bburrus@gwcommonwealth.com. Follow on Twitter:@Bill_Burrus.
