By Lucas Greifzu – Sports Editor

The debate over whether or not to play high school football in Connecticut this fall has been a back-and-forth debate for months.

Unfortunately, on Wednesday, September 16, the CIAC announced that they were officially cancelling the 2020 fall 11-on-11 football season. However, they left the possibility open for the season to be played later in the school year.

“High school football, like all of our sports, is very important to our student-athletes and to the overall culture of our high school,” Jonathan Law Athletic Director Mr. Sarullo said. “The most important thing for all of our sports this year is that they are done safely, and that all of the precautions and strategies that we have in place are communicated to all of the groups that need to approve the playing of our sports this school year.”

This announcement came after some comments from state officials on Monday, September 14. On that day, Governor Ned Lamont said that he thought it would be safer if football was played in February, and on the same day, the official response to the CIAC’s proposed plan from the DPH came out and reaffirmed their stance on the issue.

The ultimate decision to not play in the fall was devastating for members of the Law football team, especially the seniors. 

“The reason that I feel that we should be playing right now is based on the fact that high schools in 36 other states are playing games right now and most of the games are being held with fans,” said senior Jonathan Law football captain Anthony Difederico. “Most of, if not all of these states have done a worse job containing the virus than Connecticut has.”

While he was disappointed with the decision, Law football coach Chris Haley said the timing of the season made it difficult to return to play.

“The next five months give the committees and boards involved in that decision an acid test to see how things will work out in the return to school,” Haley said. “I think a lot of pressure was placed on making sure the return to education went off without a hitch, and football which traditionally starts prior to school, complicated that process.”

This debate led to a large group of student athletes, parents, and coaches protesting on Sunday, September 6, and Wednesday, September 9. Both protests were in Hartford, and over 1,000 people attended the protest on September 9 outside the Capitol Building.

This entire string of events started on Friday, September 4, when the Connecticut Interscholastic Athletic Conference announced that “high risk full contact football” could not be played in the fall. They announced this because the Connecticut Department of Public Health was unwilling to change their stance on the sport.

At Law, the football team is still practicing despite not having any scheduled games. Some leagues are still discussing having 7-on-7 games in the fall with separate in-game challenges for lineman who wouldn’t be on the field for a typical 7-on-7 game.

“The kids have worked hard since last year with weightlifting and conditioning,” said Jonathan Law Assistant Coach Teddy Boynton. “I feel that it’s a disappointing thing that there isn’t going to be football at this time, but we’re going to continue to work hard, and we’re going to continue to work together to make ourselves bigger, stronger, and faster, so that when we hopefully have a football season this spring we’re going to be successful and one of the tougher teams out there.”

As players wait for an opportunity to play in the spring, they said they will miss getting to play on Friday nights this fall.

“This sport means a lot to not only the players but the coaches and schools,” Jonathan Law football captain Lucas Pincus-Coyle said. “Football teaches life lessons and family which not only can help in our four years of high school but all throughout our lives.”