Muscogee County, Phenix City to limit fan attendance for high school football
Muscogee County and Phenix City schools will limit the capacity of fan attendance at high school football games this season due to COVID-19 precautions.
The school districts released information Wednesday evening regarding restrictions to mitigate the coronavirus pandemic and still play fall sports.
Here’s what high school football attendance and new rules about other sports will look like this fall in the two districts:
Muscogee County School District
All games hosted at Kinnett Stadium or Memorial Stadium will be limited to 40% capacity.
All tickets will be sold online, also through GoFan. No tickets will be sold at the stadium.
Spectators are strongly encouraged to wear face coverings and practice social distancing while attending a game for all fall sports. All food from the concession stand, regardless of sport, will be prepackaged.
Athletes and coaches should arrive in face coverings, according to MCSD. Coaches should remain in their mask throughout the game, and all athletes and coaches on the sideline should practice social distancing.
MCSD also released information regarding cross country, softball and volleyball.
At cross country events, all spectators should practice social distancing and are strongly encouraged to wear face coverings. Athletes are encouraged to wear face coverings until lining up to run.
Schools are limited to a maximum 40% capacity if they choose to charge entry into a softball game. MCSD’s athletics department will assist each school to determine the appropriate attendance.
Softball coaches should remain in a mask the entire game, and all athletes and coaches in the dugout should practice social distancing.
Volleyball attendance is limited to 25% capacity and, like all fall sports, coaches should wear a mask for the duration of the game. If an athlete is on the bench, they should wear a mask.
The GHSA delayed the start of football season, with the first games slated for Sept. 4. Scrimmages were canceled. The governing body also canceled preseason scrimmages.
Phenix City Schools
Phenix City Schools will use a capacity cap of 25% for all football home games this season. Garrett-Harrison Stadium, at which Central plays its home games, holds 8,000 spectators.
The home team’s initial ticket allotment is 1,200, while visiting teams will receive 800 tickets. All tickets must be purchased through GoFan.
Season tickets will be on sale for the parents of participating students Sept. 1-4. The general public may purchase season tickets starting Sept. 8.
Individuals may stand behind the fence in the south endzone, as long as they maintain social distancing. Masks are required at all times for spectators.
Home team supporters may sit in the northern and southern portion of the visitors side, which will be designated with markings.
Only essential personnel are allowed on the sideline: two individuals from Hughston Clinic, media (outside the players’ box) and visiting coaches/recruiting agencies, provided they give prior notice.
Phenix City Schools strongly recommends that all home and away participants — coaches, players and officials — undergo temperature checks and health screenings before travel.
AHSAA, to date, has not delayed the start of fall sports. Central’s scrimmage against Peach County, originally slated for August 21, was canceled.
This story was originally published August 13, 2020 at 12:41 PM.
