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PREP RALLY | 8.22.2021 4 RICK FIRES NWA DEMOCRAT-GAZETTE Eight teams in each conference, with each team playing seven league games, is what usually passes for normal in Arkansas high school football. It's also customary for schools to play the teams on their schedule and not to scramble around at midweek to find another game after the original opponent was forced to forfeit. But not last year. Not by a long shot. Normal left and was replaced by havoc. Bentonville played seven 7A-West Conference games, while Fayetteville and Rogers each managed five. In Class 3A, Charleston played seven conference games while Harding Academy, the eventual state champion in 3A, played just four. The problem, of course, was the onslaught of a worldwide pandemic that disrupted everyday life and killed over 600,000 in the United States. From March to August last year, there was uncertainty on whether we'd even have fall sports. We got through it somehow, and Greenwood was one of our area teams that went to Little Rock and came home with a state championship in football. Then came basketball and the spring sports, where state finals were held for three days in Benton to mark the end of the 2020-21 calendar year for high school team sports in Arkansas. But just when you think this fiercest of opponents was down for the count, a new and more powerful variant strain of Covid-19 is up again and ready to create even more turmoil in schools and with team sports. Coaches and administrators have been here before, and the collective plan is to proceed with caution, with an emphasis on the safety of the players. "Looking at the numbers going up around the state, it's obviously in the back of our minds thinking about 'what if,'" Greenwood coach Chris Young said. "So we're kind of doing some of the things we did last year, like limiting the time that they're around each other when they don't have to be, whether it's a break, before practice or after practice. "We're making sure we're spreading out some, too. … Just trying to make it where every one of our kids is safe and eligible to play on Friday nights." Who can forget the cancellations last season when teams scrambled for replacement games and players had to sit out after coming into contact with someone who tested positive for covid-19? There were plenty of examples of teams changing course in midweek. Fort Smith Southside agreed to make the long trip to Texarkana for a game after its 7A-West Conference opener at Rogers was canceled because of covid-19 concerns involving the Mounties. Fort Smith Northside quickly scheduled a replacement game at Moore, Okla., then later played at Fayetteville after its 7A-Central Conference home game with Little Rock Central was canceled. In southeast Arkansas, Crossett was about two hours away from playing at DeWitt when the bus was told to turn around and head home after the game was canceled. We're going to need plenty of cooperation again from students, coaches, administrators, parents, teachers, doctors, scientists, health care providers, bus drivers, Gov. Asa Hutchinson, the Arkansas Department of Health, and the Arkansas Activities Association to make it work. Can we do it? Do we have the discipline and determination to help our young athletes to complete another school year in high school sports? There's a first step that'll go a long way in making it happen. If you haven't already, get the vaccine. It's simple, free, and effective. The words and wisdom of the great Yogi Berra can be applied to the pandemic as easily as it can to sports. It ain't over till it's over. Be safe. Safety first: Proceed with caution for high school sports 3218 North Thompson • Springdale, AR • 479-751-2233 • Mon.-Fri. 8:30am-4:30pm • Sat. 8:30am-12:30pm • www.shopstraights.com See our ad in NO Down Payment • First Payment Within 30 Days See store for details and disclaimers LOW INTEREST RATES WITH APPROVED CREDIT — ON NEW GRASSHOPPER EQUIPMENT — Midmounts 24-37 HP Gas or Diesel Decks 41"-72" Out Fronts 20-37HP Gas or Diesel Decks 44"-72" The "Mighty" Grasshopper, finest mower on today's market. Other Financing Plans Available "So we're kind of doing some of the things we did last year, like limiting the time that they're around each other when they don't have to be, whether it's a break, before practice or after practice... We're making sure we're spreading out some, too. … Just trying to make it where every one of our kids is safe and eligible to play on Friday nights." – Chris Young, Greenwood coach