California high schools delay football until December due to COVID-19

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California Interscholastic Federation announced Monday that it has delayed all high school sports including football until December 2020 due to COVID-19.

“The California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) has determined, in collaboration with our 10 Sections, that education-based athletics for the 2020-2021 school year will begin with a modified season of sport schedule,” the statement read. “Our calendar reflects the season for each CIF sport and the last date for Section Championships and Regional/State Championships in those sports where a Regional/State Championship is currently offered. Following this announcement, each CIF Section Office will release their own calendar to reflect regular season starting and ending dates and Section playoffs. It is anticipated that most Section start dates will commence in December 2020 or January 2021.”

California players have the option of waiting to play their senior season in December or, for those who meet certain academic standards, enrolling in January for college.

With the rise in COVID-19 cases more organizations are delaying or canceling football and other fall sports in high schools and colleges nationwide.

Sunday, California reported more than 9,000 new cases and 90 deaths in one day. Cumulative totals for the state are approaching 400,000 cases and 8,000 deaths.