By Greg Gielczyk
GRAYLING — It was not a ringing endorsement by any means. In fact, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer recommended against having football played this fall because of the close, physical contact. But she didn’t prohibit it, either.
Her signature on Executive Order 176 gave the green light to the Michigan High School Athletic Association (MHSAA) clearance to reinstate football for this fall, and almost immediately after her announcement the MHSAA did just that, which triggered celebrations throughout the state.
Almost three weeks ago the MHSAA announced it was postponing the season until the spring of 2021 because of the COVID-19 pandemic and restrictions in place to curb the spread of the virus.
Football teams, which were already putting equipment away at the end of the first week of practice, are permitted to resume practice on Tuesday, Sept. 8 in helmets and shoulder pads. They can dress in full pads on Thursday, Sept. 10.
The first three games on everyone’s schedules have been wiped out, and the season with the shortened regular season starting with Week 4 on Friday, Sept. 18 and proceeding from there.
Under the circumstances, the MHSAA also announced that — just like all the other sports — everyone automatically qualifies for the post-season playoffs, with the championship games scheduled for the weekend of Dec. 4-5 for 11-player teams.
“I didn’t think it was going to happen, to be honest,” Grayling varsity football coach Eric Tunney said. “We had a workout after school (Tuesday), and one of the coaches texted me saying ‘So, does that mean we’re back on?’ I hadn’t heard anything.
“Obviously, the beginning of school we’re busy. We were in the gym doing some agility work at the end and the athletic director (Nate Maury) came and interrupted us and made the announcement.
“All the kids started yelling and getting excited, so it was pretty cool. I’m just happy for the kids (that) because they get a chance to play this fall. We’ll take it.”
Tunney had shifted his mindset toward off-season workouts in preparation for a season in the spring. But, he was planning to have practice on Tuesday anyway. It was going to be strictly voluntary.
Now, he and his players are switching gears again and getting into game mode. Sept. 18 is going to come pretty quick.
“We’re going to get the kids refocused,” Tunney added. “Reconnect with some of the kids, getting them all squared away and making sure we’re good to go on Tuesday.
“I know there’ll be surprises and stuff along the way, but just happy for the kids, especially the seniors. The spring was questionable. Had a lot of obstacles if we were going to go in the spring.”
Grayling already completed a week of two-a-day practices, although the only equipment permitted were helmets, and have 10 practices under their belts heading into Tuesday.
After the first two days in helmets and shoulder pads, the Vikings will focus on getting the players tackling once they can put on full pads.
“The kids have to learn how to tackle with the gear on,” Tunney said. “Typically, we scrimmage the same amount of time when we start. Obviously, we have two-a-days to do that. We kind of already did (that). I think ultimately it will be okay. I know I’m just excited to be back at it.”
The Vikings have been following the protocols put in place to slow the spread of the virus all summer, including limiting the number of players permitted in the weight room at any one time.
Players temperatures have been checked before each workout, which has continued since school started.
“We’re willing to do whatever we have to be able to play,” Tunney said. “I’m just excited that the kids get a chance to get a season. I feel bad because I know I’ll get a chance to coach even we don’t have a season.
“But, some of these kids won’t get a chance to play football (again) if it’s taken away. Seeing them yell and get all giddy … someone said it was like Christmas morning, and I couldn’t think of a better way to put it.
“I’m glad when we collected gear we just bagged every kid’s individually thinking in the spring it would be easy just to hand it back,” Tunney said. “So, that will be easy in that regard. I drove out to the practice field after school, and it’s not lined. Our grounds crew has to hopefully get that lined by Tuesday.
“We’ll adjust. We stowed most of the equipment away. But, that’s fine. We’ll have a busy Monday and Tuesday getting things ready and back into the swing of things.”
The Vikings will kickoff a six-game schedule on Friday, Sept. 18 in Kalkaska at 7 p.m.
