Grafton High athletes will see shorter seasons; close-contact sports moved to February
Grafton athletes are heading back to the playing fields on September 18 — but don’t expect to see close-contact sports like football, cheerleading, volleyball and unified basketball until February.
Athletic Director Kevin Anderson said the scheduling changes agreed upon by the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association (MIAA) will limit Grafton High teams to playing against only schools close by rather than within the entire Southern Worcester County League region.
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, Grafton students return to school on September 16, with about 75 percent of students opting for the hybrid (one week remote, one week in school) model rather than a full Remote Learning Academy
“There will continue to be discussion with Individual Sport Committees and the Sports Medicine Committee to develop recommendations for modifications for fall sports and then the final modifications will be announced during the first week in September,” Anderson wrote.
The MIAA also will not sponsor postseason tournaments, although leagues may host their own.
The shuffle of play now means there are four seasons of sports, with tryouts and practices starting no sooner than September 18:
FALL SEASON (September 18 – November 20, 2020)
- Cross Country (Boys and Girls)
- Soccer (Boys and Girls)
- Field Hockey
- Golf
- Swim & Dive
WINTER SEASON (November 30, 2020 – February 21, 2021)
- Basketball (Boys and Girls)
- Winter Cheer
- Hockey
- Indoor Track & Field (Boys and Girls)
- Swim & Dive
FLOATING SEASON (February 22, 2021 – April 25, 2021)
- Football
- Fall Cheer
- Unified Basketball
- Girls Volleyball
SPRING SEASON (April 26, 2021 – July 3, 2021)
- Baseball
- Lacrosse (Boys and Girls)
- Softball
- Tennis (Boys & Girls)
- Outdoor Track & Field
- Unified Track
