The only constant in the 2020 fall sports season is change and the 2020 season is in constant change!
Updates on the football playoffs illustrate the certain uncertainty of the COVID-19 reality.
Homer Mariners May Play In Division III Playoffs On A Monday
The Homer Mariners, currently under a 14-day quarantine which expires the night of October 17th, will not host a playoff game on the 17th; however have new playoff hopes.
ASAA Executive Director Billy Strickland has confirmed that the second-round playoff game for the Mariners may be played on Monday, October 19th. All of the teams potentially involved in that semifinal have agreed to move the game to Monday, Oct. 19, stated Strickland.
Eagle River Football Stays Home; Forfeits Final Game
The Eagle River Wolves, having qualified for the Division II playoffs and awaiting a first-round game against the Soldotna Stars, are forfeiting their final regular season game against East Anchorage to avoid risk of exposure to COVID-19. The Wolves vs Thunderbirds game was scheduled for Saturday; Eagle River, part of the Anchorage School District, is choosing to not travel into the Anchorage School District!
The forfeit loss leaves Eagle River a 3-2 regular-season record. East Anchorage finishes the regular season at 5-0.
Juneau Football Schedules A Day Trip
The Juneau Huskies, a co-op football team comprised of players from Juneau-Douglas High School and Thunder Mountain High School, will accept an automatic berth to the Division I playoffs and will make a day-trip to Anchorage.
The Huskies have not played a game outside of Juneau, limiting the program to practices and scrimmages.
The Huskies will travel to Anchorage on the tightest, most restrictive schedule. Juneau will fly on a 7:30 a.m. flight from Juneau; transport to game location; play an 11:00 a.m. contest; and return on a 3:30 p.m. flight to Juneau. “It’s a show-and-go game,” Juneau-Douglas athletic director Chad Bentz said. “They’re literally going to get off the plane, get on the bus, go to the field, play the game, get on the bus, get on the plane.”
Houston Travels To Nikiski Non-Stop; Except To Play
In Division III football, The Houston Hawks will leave the Mat-Su Valley for the first time in 2020, traveling to Nikiski for a first-round playoff game on Saturday against the Bulldogs.
Houston’s coach Glenn Nelson explained the travel plan on Facebook. “Food will be provided and we will not be allowed to make public stops along the way. Once on the bus-we stay on the bus. The two exceptions will be at Turnagain Arm parking lot for short meal and walk through. And again in Soldotna for a parking lot lunch.”
All Mat-Su Football Playoff Teams To Travel For First Round
The Division I Colony Knights, Division III Redington Huskies and Division III Houston Hawks will all travel for the opening round pairings in their respective football playoffs; the Mat-Su School District electing to control the narrative and play on the road. ASAA’s Strickland stated the decision is practical for the Valley. Strickland summarized, “Would you rather travel with controls over everything involving your team and limit contact and not possibly bring the covid back to your community; or allow hundreds to travel to your community.”
Stay tuned for more!
