Whether it is playing football or field hockey in March or baseball in June, Northampton’s athletic program will adjust accordingly.

A model of winter sports beginning in December followed by fall sports in March, and spring sports in May has been adopted in some form by several states and continues to gain ground. While the PIAA decided on a resolution to continue to proceed with fall sports, and area leagues have adopted more COVID-friendly schedules, Gov. Tom Wolf strongly suggested all sports be postponed until Jan. 1.

“There have been a lot of talk about different types of scenarios,” said Northampton athletic director Shaun Murray before the PIAA voted to proceed with fall sports. “We have to wait and see where we are with our league, and if we get word on options A, B, or C and recalibrate our offseasons.

“The PIAA is turning over every stone, and they are trying to come to some kind of resolution.”

While tennis and golf got underway, there is still nothing set in stone as we get closer to the cooler months.

One possible major obstacle ahead for the Kids could be a gym schedule for practices due to inclement weather.

“It can be a challenge,” said Murray. “We will have to pride ourselves on flexibility and creativity. It is a tough one to prognosticate, and we just have to take step at a time.”

Head football coach Kyle Haas would welcome a proposed schedule of eight to 10 games under a new arrangement rather than the current proposal of five games of the current East Penn Conference arrangement that would begin Oct. 2. Currently, the Kids would begin contact practices Sept. 14 and then have a scrimmage against Allentown Central Catholic Sept. 25.

“It would be better than five (games) in the fall,” said Haas. “We will do whatever is decided. We will have our kids prepared for anything down the road. I just hope our seniors get a chance to play some type of schedule.”

Haas is aware that there could be some attrition with a revamped schedule, as his program already has experienced some.

“We have lost some kids who lost interest,” he added. “They could have helped us in some way. We realize it could happen again, and it also can put some pressure on athletes playing several sports.”

Senior quarterback Joe Kerbacher also participates in basketball and baseball. It would be a nonstop, six-month surge for him under the compacted proposal.

“It would put everyone in a tough situation, and it would be a little tougher to manage for me,” he said before the PIAA voted to proceed with fall sports. “But as long as we get to play, that’s what really matters.

“If football gets pushed back, I would just keep working out. I haven’t done much with basketball, but I would be ready for it.”

Kerbacher has been reviewing football and baseball scholarship offers, and he belies baseball may be a more viable option.

“It’s hard right now because there is a dead period with colleges,” he said. “I also feel confident that I can play Division I-A football or baseball.”

Head field hockey coach Carrie Saul would welcome the change, but she realizes some of the potential roadblocks.

“We would continue our workouts through the fall,” said Saul, if the PIAA wouldn’t have proceeded to move forward with the fall season. “If we could get a full season in the spring, we definitely would be for that. We could run into some problems in the spring with club hockey.

“The girls are excited to have every opportunity to play. We were very fortunate last year as we had a very mild March without any snow. But we have had snow on the turf in March. I have 10 seniors, and I want to give them every opportunity to play.”

Morgan McEntire is a senior captain, and she also is anxious to get on the field.

“We have been able to practice and work on getting better,” she said. “Until we have a season, we are having fun.

“It will be a challenge, but I plan to keep doing what I can. We are a motivated group of seniors who just want to play.”