By Cory Kefauver
Baltimore Watchdog Staff Writer
This fall, there will be no cheering fans in the stands, no animated coaches stalking the sidelines, and no athletes filled with aspirations of a state championship.
The Maryland Public Secondary School Athletic Association announced the postponement of all fall and winter sports via Twitter in early August.
While the National Football League has returned to action (albeit with some modifications) Maryland high school athletes and coaches are on hold until the spring.
The MPSAA announced in early September that fall and winter sports will return during the spring semester on February 1, 2021. Coaches, players, and athletic directors will wait with bated breath until then, hoping that they will be able to play their season.
Randy Pentz, athletic director at Century High School in neighboring Carroll County, is hopeful about the restart of high school athletics. This August was the first time in years that Pentz was not participating in high school sports to some degree.
“Of course, we’re all optimistic, some games are better than no games,” Pentz said. “The key is to get kids back engaged.”
Pentz said that while all counties are taking different approaches to the restart, they are currently in the “conditioning phase.”
The news, while expected, has taken its toll on local high school football coaches.
“Every season since 1994 I have gotten ready for a football season,” said Jaren Maybin, head coach at Catonsville High School. “Everything is so different for everyone right now.”
Maybin said that he has had plenty to keep him occupied at home. His wife is pregnant, and he says that has kept him more than occupied but is still eager to get back with his team.
“I want to get back out there with my guys,” Maybin said. “Sports are really players avenue to a better future.”
Maybin has been preparing for this season the same way most coaches are, through virtual meetings via Zoom. Maybin said that when local colleges began to cancel their fall seasons, he knew that the high schools would not be far behind. Still, the news, while expected, was disappointing none the less. Though like others, Maybin is optimistic for a reduced spring season.
The postponement of fall sports has also been a great hurdle to first year head coaches such as Kelly Bryant at Towson High School. Bryant said he was disappointed not to be on the field during his first year as head coach.
“I was definitely disappointed, as a first-year head coach I worked really hard to get to this point,” Bryant said.
The plan, as of now, is for winter sports to start in February and run through late March. Fall sports will start in March and end in May. Spring sports will finish the year with the season ending in June.
Currently schools are prepping for students return to the buildings. Students will need to wear masks except when conditioning and will be required to stay six feet apart whenever possible. Pentz said that schools are just trying to abide by the Center for Disease Control standards and procedures.
The preparation will look much different this season. Pentz said the plan is to allow athletes back in pods of 20 players with an allowance of up to five coaches per pod.
Going virtual has presented a new set of challenges this year, Bryant said.
“It has been challenging as a staff having to do everything virtually,” Bryant said. “We now have to teach the game of football instead of talking it.”
Not only is practice and preparation different, but also the amount of games that will be played. All sports will be playing on shortened seasons, likely against only in county opponents. The MPSSA is still deciding on whether statewide playoffs and championships are realistic this year.
“At least the kids will have something as opposed to nothing,” Bryant said of the spring restart.
Pentz maintained his optimism of the pros of having a spring season.
“Athletics drives these kids academically,” Pentz said. “For some kids, athletics is what keeps them focused on school and keeps them on track. We need to make sure everyone stays on track.”