It will be a whole new ballgame when it comes to Texan’s favorite time of the year: Texas High School Football Season.

The University Interscholastic League (UIL) is the guiding force for the rules and regulations for all UIL sanctioned events.

On Tuesday, July 21, 2020, they released their 2020-2021 UIL COVID-19 Risk Mitigation Guidelines, and set forth the plans for sports and other UIL related events.

The guidelines that will be discussed throughout this article are for 1A-4A districts, as Freestone County schools are within those sizes.

If you do have a family member who attends a 5A or 6A, be aware they are on a different schedule than the smaller districts.

Most important, please remember that mask will be required as Governor Greg Abbott mandated with Executive Order GA-29.

Gaming sites, football stadium or a gym for example, are limited to 50% capacity.

Spectators

If you enter an area where a UIL activity is being conducted, you will be required to wear a mask. This includes students who are not actively participating, practicing or playing.

UIL is requiring school districts to screen all visitors for COVID-19 and/or exposure to the virus before their entrance to a UIL activity. A temperature check may be used when it is practical.

Schools may deny entry to an individual who fails the screening. Additionally, any individual for who screening cannot be confirmed should be considered presumed symptomatic, until otherwise confirmed.

If someone answers ‘yes’ on a screening questionnaire, the school system must destroy the individuals responses.

All areas should be cleaned and disinfected before and after it is used.

All fans, spectators, and visitors should be at least six feet from team/group areas.

Fans and spectators should be at least ten feet from a band playing wind instruments from the stands.

Students

Student groups who are not directly involved in the game, such as band and cheerleaders, must remain separate from the game participants at all times.

Distancing is expected at all times, including when on the sidelines.

Social distancing with ten or less people per group is expected.

These guidelines are not set in stone, and may be modified if necessary.

Visit uiltexas.org to view the complete guidelines and keep up to date on any changes.

Athletes (actively playing the game)

Face Masks are required as per Governor Abbott’s Executive Order, which does not require the athletes to wear a facial covering while they play.

Every person involved should be screened before the game, and they should also be self-screening before attending an event.

Fan and Spectator areas should be at least six feet from the team, if not possible other methods should be utilized.

Water and food may be provided, but only in a way that no one needs to share.

Pregame and Postgame gestures between teams should be conducted in a manner to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Host sites should handle all sanitation for the visiting team that is possible.