Seven on Seven CHSFL season

When schools in the Catholic League knew they were going to be closed down due to the Covid-19 pandemic, they knew that they would not be back in the building for a while. At the time, they knew spring sports like baseball and lacrosse would not be played. However, they did have hope that the football season would start on time.

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo let organized sports that were low contact resume in the state during July. The NYPHSAA, the governing body that oversees High School sports play, in New York, decided to condense each season into 2021.

The state approved for schools eager to, to have a flag football, Seven on Seven season.

High schools across the state were not allowed to begin practices until Monday September 21st. As it was, most schools did not even begin hybrid learning until the end of October and beginning of November. The state promised High schools statewide, a tackle season in March.

The Seven on Seven season was quite different than a tackle season.

For the Archbishop Stepinac Crusaders, the season was challenging but they got the hang of it. "The players have remained positive about our upcoming season in March," said Head Coach Mike O' Donnell. "They were very happy to be able to get back to seeing each other and working out. Being around each other, working with one another, and dealing with this situation is helping them grow."

The Gaels at Iona Prep felt almost the same way. "I think everyone was happy to be back together again," said Head Coach Joe Spagnolo. "We enjoyed this Fall, and we hope to have a spring season."

Seven on Seven does not take up the whole field. Only one half of the field is used, and no running plays are allowed. The ball is passed to the QB, and there are six receivers.

Practice was different in some ways, one being no helmet and pads. "It was sort of like the mini-camps we run in the spring and summer," said Spagnolo. "It was just that we did not wear helmets."

"We first had to deal with protocols of health checks and small groups," said O'Donnell. "Some students were in school and some had to travel to school because they were remote or at home on any given day. But they did a very good job of making the best of an unusual situation. No locker rooms. No team dinners, no getting close to each other. It all took time for them to get used to. But they did a very good job."

Stepinac only had to travel for one game. Their one away game was at Iona Prep, a relief to most. The players got there individually, and had to complete the necessary health screenings in order to play.

Iona Prep, however, did not have to travel, as all their games were at home.

Only two spectators were allowed in per player, making it harder for there to be many fans, hence other students are not allowed to attend.

All Freshman, JV, and Varsity levels in the CHSFL will have five game regular season, and a three game playoff. As it looks now, it is unlikely fans will be allowed.

If, and when the tackle season starts up in March, it will be a while before you see the crowd of September 28th, 2019, again. For the rest of us, it's a good thing that a website called LocalLive exists.