Four OC coaches predict whether there will be high school football in 2021

Corona del Mar High School players go through warm-ups before the CIF finals last season. (File photo: Fernando M. Donado, For OC Sports Zone)

Four Orange County high school football coaches reacted this week to the announcement by CIF State officials that the start of the high school football season has been put on hold as they wait for recommendations from the California Department of Public Health.

State officials said in their release they do not expect additional return to play guidelines for football and other sports until after Jan. 1, 2021 at the earliest. CIF Southern Section Commissioner Rob Wigold said in an interview with OC Sports Zone he will provide an update for the section on Tuesday, Jan. 19.

The CIF’s revised plan to have football practices start on Monday, Dec. 14 and games begin on Thursday, Jan. 7 and Friday, Jan. 8 is on hold and there is no indication when full conditioning drills could be held. Teams need 14 days of full practice to prepare for the season, according to Mark Cunningham, Irvine Unified School District Athletic Director.

Teams can continue conditioning drills for now but the high cases from the coronavirus pandemic remain a concern and Orange County is in the highest more restrictive purple tier.

Coaches were asked if they thought high school football would happen in 2021, what sort of schedule would they like to see, what kind of preparations their teams would take and what safety measures they plan to follow.

DAN O’SHEA, CORONA DEL MAR:

“I think football can happen but it will require a lot of work to change the CIF calendar and I just hope we get the chance to try. The sport has never been MORE needed for these kids than right now ….. socially, emotionally, and academically as they have been hanging on so courageously through all these months.

“I would prefer the maximum number of games for all schools/players and forgo playoffs which would limit games for too many under these circumstances.

“The message is one of confusion for our kids I believe as they are trying to do everything right to get an opportunity to play the games they have been training 12 months to play. We will keep similar Phase Two practices that we have been doing.

“We are prepared to wear masks full-time, distance at practices, whatever to just play……”

RICK CURTIS, CREAN LUTHERAN:

“My reaction is one of frustration and heartbreak for all of our 800,000 student-athletes here in California, and especially the seniors.  When we were told in March to shut down we did, even though our public health agencies did not know how this virus affected certain age groups. Out of safety for all, we complied with their requests and went into shutting down all of our schools and sports activities. Now, from what I read about ‘the science’ is that high school age groups are 99.9 percent safe and will fully recover even if they do contract the virus. The frustration also comes from seeing other states across the country completing their seasons and holding championships in their respective sports.

“To me, the first group that should have been able to ‘roll out’ their seasons should have been the youth groups and high school groups, as they are the least vulnerable.  The precedent has been set as we have seen the NFL and the NCAA participate in athletics in the state of California.

“I am an optimist, so I do think we are going to have a football season. With my wife, Mary, battling cancer, I understand first hand how we must protect the most vulnerable groups, ones with underlying conditions, veteran coaches, and the elderly.  If it meant that I would not be able to coach this season along with other veteran coaches and those with underlying conditions, so be it! I would much rather see these student-athletes participating and competing safely in full seasons for their respective sports, as we as coaches will be able to coach in the future. In the case of our senior athletes, this is it!

“While our CIF Commissioner Rob Wigod has said that we will need to cancel the front end of our schedule, I think the whole schedule will have to be looked at; just as the state looked at and moved boys volleyball to the spring season.  Trying to ‘hold the line’ on the current calendar is going to be difficult after the CIF State canceled the regional and state championships for Season 1. This change allows for a couple more weeks on the back end of the schedule, meaning you could go with a seven-game schedule prior to the CIF playoffs. 

“For this to happen, we must begin our practices for the football season on Jan. 4.  From my perspective, we really cannot wait much longer past Jan.1, 2021, for an answer. 

“Our student-athletes have been working hard in preparation for the season and I am so proud of how they have stayed focused throughout these challenging times! They are truly resilient and have shown great character by overcoming the adversity that they have been faced with. With a completely new staff and with the process of establishing a new culture, this group of young men has been outstanding. I could not be more pleased with their progress under these conditions! We will be ready when the season is here and are anxiously awaiting what God has in store for us!

“Our health and safety team, training staff, and administration here at Crean Lutheran have been phenomenal and our AD, Eric Olson, has been proactive in getting all necessary protocols out to us. We will continue to follow the guidelines that they present to us to keep a safe environment for all of our players and coaches.”

JOSEPH TAGALOA, SEGERSTROM:

“I am remaining positive that we will get an opportunity to play this year. Under what circumstances, remains to be seen. There are a lot of factors that go into the decision making as far as whether or not we will be able to get out there. Realistically, we are going to have to play some sort of condensed schedule. Most people I have spoken with to seem to be hoping for at least a league schedule.

“I would be happy with anything. Since we don’t know what the future holds, our approach remains the same. We have to do everything in our ability to prepare so that we are as ready as anyone could be under the current restrictions. Phase Two prevents us from lifting weights, which hurts from a physical standpoint. Not being able to handle a football limits what we can really do from an offensive standpoint. Small pods makes team building impossible. These circumstances are challenging, but our coaching staff is working hard to get everything we can out of every minute spent on the field.  I am sure safety precautions will be mandated by our district and followed very strictly. “

MIKE MACERANKA, LAGUNA HILLS:

“Unfortunately, our numbers around the state have skyrocketed and I did not see us starting on time. I am optimistic we can still get started after the holidays.

The schedule he expects: “Starting Jan. 10 and games beginning week six of the current football schedule with a playoff schedule following the five-game season.

“We are practicing for the next two weeks as normal. We will take off finals week and the winter break with the expectation of starting preseason practices one week after we return. I expect CIF and the State will have an announcement the week we return to school on Jan. 4.

“I am sure we will limit meeting time to outdoor or small group meetings with masks like we are doing in school now. As for practice, keeping distance when in drills, I can foresee wearing masks when we are in close contact portions of practice and shortening the contact phases of practice. We will adjust to make sure we can practice safely and stay healthy to play games.”

-Tim Burt, OC Sports Zone; timburt@ocsportszone.com 

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