WESTWOOD, Mass. (WBZ NewsRadio) — The Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association have finally approved new rules for fall sports amid COVID-19.
The "Fall-2" season is set to begin in just a few weeks, which will include full-contact football.
Al Fornaro is the head coach of Xaverian Brothers High School Varsity Football. He said having his team on the sidelines throughout last fall wasn't easy.
"I'm a big complainer by nature," Coach Fornaro said. "But every time I complained to myself, I'd say; 'We're getting to play football.'"
Football season is finally set to kick off on February 22nd, albeit with covid-safety protocols in place. The new rules for high school sports in Massachusetts were approved on Friday, but MIAA communications director Tara Bennett said not much is changing on the gridiron.
"With football in particular, there really aren't many modifications to the actual play itself," Bennett said.
In other words, yes, tackling is still fair game. But, in between plays, there will be plenty of social distancing, everywhere from the huddle to the bench.
Masks will be required, and Coach Fornaro said he's taking it a step further so they can keep the game clock rolling.
"We're going to ask all our young men to wear gloves," he said.
WBZ NewsRadio's Matt Shearer reports:
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Written by Brit Smith
(Photo: Getty Images)