High school football navigating unfamiliar COVID-19 waters as 2020 season kicks off

PITTSBURGH — Friday night marks the start of high school football around western Pennsylvania, and in many places, like Allegheny County, there are different rules when it comes to allowing people in the stands.

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The North Allegheny Tigers will take on Penn Hills. Under Gov. Wolf’s guidance, there is a limit of 250 people allowed at outdoor sporting events. NA is allowing parents of the senior football players to attend the game in person. Each senior player was given one ticket. Twenty parents will be spaced out in the bleachers and all must be wearing a mask.

Five parents will be watching the action from the Baierl Center next to the field.

Forty-three senior band members will be in attendance and will perform at halftime. There will be no cheerleaders.

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School officials said 74 NA players and 45 Penn Hills players will suit up for the game. Players and coaches will be required to socially distance on the sideline and must be wearing masks.

For families unable to attend the game, the school is live streaming it on the district’s website.

High school football players, coaches, bands just happy to be under the lights

“We’ve been thinking about this game all year. It’s the only game we are guaranteed so far so all our players are going to play our heart out,” said Ben Chizmar, a senior on the Mars football team.

Mars took on Hampton Friday night in their season opener, but there were no fans to watch the action in person.

“I feel like what we have right now is really good to have this opportunity to still perform,” said senior band member Hannah Miller.

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