Football or cross country in late February?

Apparently, it was a viable option for area schools in the Lehigh Valley. And maybe it still could be if there is another outbreak?

Several states across the country have already opted to move their fall sports schedule to midwinter as an avenue to have all three sports seasons for the 2020-21 year.

According to a consensus of popular plans, winter sports would begin in late December, fall sports would be shifted to late February or the beginning of March, and spring sports would begin in May. All three seasons would have shortened schedules, and any postseason events would be for further discussion.

Schools recently awaited the results of a PIAA meeting to determine their futures, especially after Gov. Tom Wolf earlier strongly recommended all sports be postponed until Jan. 1 due to COVID-19.

As it turned out, the PIAA voted to proceed with fall sports. But area schools were getting plans in place.

“I think we have to review all the options we have,” said Roughies’ athletic director Tom Moll before the PIAA voted to proceed. “Other states have already shortened seasons in place. We just want to give the athletes an opportunity to play.

“I think we can have all three seasons ending in either June or July.”

Roughies’ head football coach Travis Brett would rather see a traditional start.

“I hope it can all work out, so we can get on the field,” said the first-year head coach recently. “I would just like to get some games in even if we have to stop play. I would happy to play three or four games.”

Senior Austin Brett, the coach’s son, has had a successful wrestling career over the past three years, and he is currently weighing offers from schools. He still is planning to play football.

“I have been looking at my offers from wrestling,” said Brett before the PIAA voted to proceed and the Colonial League released schedules. “I have to see how things go.

“It’s kind of hard to think about not having a season. If there aren’t sports until December, I would just keep lifting and working out. There are other athletes who are in the same situation as me with two sports.”

Head cross country coach Kyle Rusnock doesn’t believe this proposal is an ideal situation, but he likens the chance for his runners.

“My biggest concern is giving the athletes an opportunity to compete,” he said. “My heart goes out to the senior athletes and hope they get the chance.

“I don’t like the [potential] change, but it can give us a season. Maybe the noncontact sports like cross country can find a way to stay on schedule. If we do get pushed back, the kids will have to stay in shape.”

Senior Lexi Rushatz, who has excelled in cross country and track, could find herself running both sports consecutively should any changes take place.

“I would prefer to have a regular schedule, but I do want to have both seasons,” said Rushatz. “It would stink if the seasons were back-to-back-to-back. We didn’t have a track season in the spring, and we haven’t competed in a while.

“I would still train, but it would be hard because you can’t compete. Maybe we can get together and practice if it is pushed back. It could be hard, but we just have to keep moving forward.”