Philip Simmons football game plan includes pandemic safety strategies

Football practice at area high schools this summer includes drawing up some offensive plays with X’s and O’s. And in today’s world, it also includes defending against COVID-19.
 
Philip Simmons High School is well into the conditioning phase of the 2020 season, which includes a late start because the coronavirus pandemic raged through South Carolina in July.
 
Practices normally begin around Aug. 1 but were scheduled to start Aug. 17. But the date was again pushed back to Sept. 8.
 
The regular season also has been pushed back with a Sept. 25 kickoff. Playoffs will be condensed with fewer teams and will conclude with state championships in early December.
 
Philip Simmons coach Eric Bendig knows he must develop a game plan for his team during these uncertain times while making sure his team has safe conditions during practice – and for the other 20 hours of the day.
 
“The High School League and the Berkeley County School District have good policies in place, protocol we follow,” Bendig said. “When the kids leave here, we tell them to wear masks and to social distance. ‘When you leave here, be smart when you are outside of here. Don’t hang out with people you don’t know.’ They have to be responsible for their actions the other 20 hours of the day. We tell them nothing is guaranteed. Stay safe when you practice, and stay safe when you are away from practice.”
 
Each day begins with athletes having their temperatures checked. The High School League’s practice policies began with small groups and increased in size as workouts progressed and as safety standards were met. 
 
Philip Simmons will take advantage of the High School League’s two-scrimmage policy. The Iron Horses will play Cross on Sept. 14 and then play Cane Bay in the Lions’ Club Jamboree in Moncks Corner four days later.
 
But for now, success on the field includes little things; things we used to take for granted. Workout sessions of small groups following social distancing protocol and wearing masks when appropriate have evolved into bigger-group participation with players allowed to use a football while wearing helmets to begin the acclimation to the heat and the humidity of the summer.
 
The next big step will occur when the Iron Horses officially open fall camp Sept. 8. Bendig said he expects parents will have some concerns at that time, and he will address them.
 
The Philip Simmons junior varsity team is scheduled to play the new Lucy Beckham High School JV team on Sept. 24, and the varsity will kick off its season the following night with a trip to Burke.
 
Currently, teams that do not make the playoffs will be allowed to schedule one additional game to their season as long as the game is played before Nov. 20.
 
The High School League plan, at this time, includes fans in the stands this fall. Fans will be required to wear masks.
 
Some people estimate only 250 fans will be allowed into games. Bendig said attendance could be limited to 25-40 percent of the stadium’s capacity.
 
Stay tuned.
 

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