EDUCATION

Central High School to resume training next month

MIKE CHRISTEN
Just prior to the revised start time of 7:30 p.m. for the Columbia Central home football game versus Dickson County in Lindsey Nelson Stadium, the Central High band in full uniform performed the National Anthem. Game captains and officials were ready for the coin toss when they were informed by Columbia Central Director of Football Operations Vance Belew that more lightning was showing on the school's meter, thus following protocol of the TSSAA forcing another 30-minute delay. Some 10 minutes later, the heaviest deluge of rain struck leading to postponement. Lineing up on the sideline for the coin toss which did not take place, are Columbia Central captains Mason Jobe, Will Anderson, Chase Roberts and Andre Martin.

The Columbia Central High School football team is planning to resume summer training next month after one athlete tested positive for the coronavirus in early June.

Central’s football will resume practice along with the school system’s other teams following the TSSAA’s mandatory summer two-week dead period that ends Monday, July 6, Maury County Public Schools Athletic Director Chris Poynter told The Daily Herald.

Poynter confirmed that no other athletes on Central’s football team have contracted the virus.

“We have procedures and precautions in place for each sport,” Pointer said. “With the layout of the plan, that is why it only impacted football. All other teams were able to continue.”

On June 13, Coach Jason Hoath learned from a parent regarding an athlete had come into direct contact with someone that had COVID-19.

“We will make the best choices possible for the students, athletes and coaches in Maury County,” Poynter said.

Hoath canceled practice two days later after learning the athlete in question had tested positive for the coronavirus.

Hoath and Poynter then cancelled practice for the remainder of the week that led into the start of the mandatory dead period.

All players and coaches were advised to quarantine for 14 days per CDC recommendations.

Poynter said the team will again be tested before returning to training next month.

He said the school system’s athletic facilities continue to be sanitized with at least two deep cleans occurring at each facility through the day.

Poynter said he remains cautious as the number of cases of the virus continue to increase across the state.

“We will continue as planned, but we don’t know what sort of mandates will come down from the state,” Poynter said.