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CONNORVILLE -- Governor Mike DeWine declared Tuesday that prep sports could move forward, but they would have to do so under strict guidelines as the state of Ohio and the world continues to deal with the coronavirus pandemic.
Buckeye Local has acted quickly since the Ohio Department of Health's order was published Wednesday evening. It formally announced its plan for football season, which begins next week against Barnesville, Thursday afternoon.
Athletics Director Jason Merryman said he and high school principal Luke Parsons had been discussing a plan for several weeks and then fine tuned it once they formally heard the requirements, which include limited fan attendance of up to 450 people.
"Mr. Parsons and I formed four plans once we started hearing rumors about the limited percentages of fans," Merryman said. "So, once it came out, we adjusted our numbers and we had our plan almost ready to go."
Buckeye Local plans to allow each of its 35 football players, 100 band members and 10 cheerleaders two tickets per student. Barnesville, meanwhile, will also receive two tickets per football player and cheerleader.
"We are doing what we have to do," Merryman said. "I feel bad for our students because (sports and activities) are what it's all about for kids to come and watch. I also feel bad for the grandpas and grandmas, so my heart goes out to them."
No tickets will be sold at the gate at World War II Memorial Stadium. Instead each student will buy his or her ticket at the school in the days leading up to the game. Barnesville will sell to its students' families.
Along with the differences in ticket availability, masks and social distancing will be required for all in attendance at the game except those participating. Spectators are also being asked to self check their temperature before they arrive at the stadium.
Speaking of arriving at the stadium, those will also be staggered. Senior parents are being asked to arrive at 6 and junior parents 15 minutes later. Sophomores and freshmen parents will arrive at 6:30 p.m.
"I think we can pull this off, but it's going to take our entire school," Merryman said. "Mr. Parsons has been great throughout this and a valuable resource for me. He has been at the stadium, measuring things and making sure everything we will work with the six-feet distance."