If the high school football season begins as planned, there will be fans in attendance at Huff-Mosley Memorial Stadium.
What that exact number will be is still up for discussion.
The Georgia High School Association released guidance for schools last Monday when it comes to game day operations during the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic. As with most guidance from state agencies, they are merely suggestions and not mandates.
The release stated, “GHSA member schools should follow the guidance of local, state and federal recommendations as it pertains to spectator events and stadium capacity restrictions if such information becomes available.”
Three days later at the board of education’s regular meeting, Gilmer High principal Carla Foley gave a presentation outlining some of the school’s tentative ideas ahead of the Bobcats’ Sept. 11 home opener.
Along with the board and superintendent Dr. Shanna Downs, there was a nearly 45-minute discussion examining possible recommendations for fans, bands and students at home games.
“It’s up to our LEA (local education authority) along with the department of health to make determinations on who is going to be allowed in games with regard to cheerleaders, band, parents and mascots,” Foley said.
“That is a decision we all need to make. We need to follow all of our local guidelines. We need to get information from the department of health and I wanted to get some information from you (the board) as well.”
The GHSA highly recommends social distancing inside stadiums and member schools are looking into limiting the number of available tickets to allow for more space in the stands.
It appears most of Region 7-3A schools West Hall, North Hall, Cherokee Bluff, Lumpkin County, Dawson County and White County have taken heed.
“We had our new region meeting yesterday (last Wednesday),” Foley said. “With the exception of Lumpkin County High School, all of the other schools are looking at only filling their stadiums to 30 to 50 percent capacity.
“White County has not made a final decision, but they’re leaning toward 50 percent capacity although there are people within White County talking about 30 percent,” Foley said.
Most schools are in preliminary talks but North Hall, West Hall and Cherokee Bluff have taken a hard stance.
“Hall County is really kind of taking the lead with the 30-percent capacity and they’ve made the decision that is what they’re going to go with,” Foley said.
The parents of home football players, band members and cheerleaders will have ticket priority at games held at opposing region schools.
Downs was not sold on the idea as fans who do not have children involved in game-day activities would be excluded.
“My concern with limiting (tickets) is with the number of athletes, band members and cheerleaders, if you only allow two tickets for each of those people, you would be at or beyond the 50 percent,” Downs said.
The home side at Huff-Mosley seats roughly 3,000 and there is space for 1,000 spectators on the visitor side, according to Foley. Discussion explored 50, 75 and 100 percent capacity.
Board vice chairman Ronald Watkins is in favor of opening the stadium to 100 percent capacity and letting fans make their own decision.
“I say open it up,” he began. “I don’t think we’ll have a big crowd (because of coronavirus). We may not fill half the stadium. I believe a lot of people will stay home, but it’s their choice.
“We’re grown adults. If I want to go to a football game I’ll make my own mind up. I’m 60 years old and they’re not going to change my ways. I’ve lived free all my life, and I’m going to do what I want to do. I’ve worked through this coronavirus since the day it started. I’ve worked two jobs and have not worn a mask (while at work).”
Watkins added, “I don’t buy into it. It’s out there, I know people get sick from it and I know people die from it, but it is what it is. We got to deal with it.”
Another GHSA priority is keeping fans and students separated, which includes athletes on the field, as well as the regular student body.
Lumpkin has opted to have its student section and band on the track. North Hall and West Hall are not allowing opposing teams’ bands in their stadiums. GHS is exploring the idea of sitting students and bands on the track as well.
Board member Tom Ocobock believes that could lead to a volatile situation.
“My concern with putting a band and student section on the track, is you have nothing separating them (from the action on the field),” he said. “You put a visitor band down there and a visitor student section on that track, someone is ether going to get hurt or there’s going to be fistfights.”
Foley noted no decisions have been made as far as allowing opposing bands in Huff-Mosley. If students and bands are placed on the track, Foley expects a strong administrative presence alongside them.
Foley said the GHS band is not in favor of that option and prefers to be in the stands seated in the Zane Zone. The board also discussed placing bands in the area directly behind the end zones.
“This is a different year and we need the space (in the stands),” Watkins said. “I understand what they want. If nobody shows up to the ball game, they can go back up there (in the stands). I just don’t think we’re going to get a big crowd. We’re all in uncharted territory right now.”
Ocobock responded by adding, “I would not chisel anything in stone around that first game for that simple reason. I would be very flexible and very fluid. Because we might go into October and everything is fine; nobody knows.”
The GHSA strongly recommends the use of masks and that spectators have their temperatures taken prior to entering the stadium. It is recommended those with a temperature of 100.4 or higher be denied admittance.
As of press deadline, GHS only plans to screen and take the temperatures of game-day personnel. Fans are strongly encouraged to wear masks but they are not required.
GHS fans should only use the top entrance and not enter through the lower gate near the visitor locker room. Visiting fans will not be allowed to sit on the home side at Huff-Mosley, nor may GHS fans sit with visitors.
“One thing is for sure, the opinions vary greatly on every end of the spectrum,” Downs said. “I am concerned with turning people away that want to come see their children or who have paid money as a booster and then risk them not getting a ticket. As a parent if my child was playing I would want to be there.”
All plans regarding the total number of fans allowed in the stadium and where to sit students and bands remain tentative and flexible.
“We’re going to have a plan for our first game, which is Fannin,” Foley said. “We’ll go with that plan and see how that goes. If that doesn’t work we’ll come back together Monday morning and regroup and get that new plan together before that next game.
“Communication is key and that we’re getting that plan out to out community, as well as giving visiting communities a heads up.”