Football, volleyball & girls’ swim start 2.22
Published February 5, 2021
By JENNIFER GENTILE
MELROSE—Fans who’ve missed watching some of the Melrose High School’s most successful athletic programs have much to look forward come this early spring. A wedge season (“Fall2”) has been cleared by the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association (MIAA) to begin play starting February 22.
When we last saw the Melrose Red Raider football team, fans were shivering at Gillette Stadium in Dec. 2019 watching them clinch a Div. 4 Super Bowl title. The next time we will see them on the field, fans will be shivering at Fred Green Field come early March in Melrose. Games are expected to begin in early March after the MIAA’s unanimous 22-0 vote on Friday, Jan 30.
In a statement, MIAA President Jeff Granatino said, “We made adjustments in the fall and had a successful first season. We made additional modifications for the winter and our student athletes have been actively engaged since December. Now we are hopeful that with the guidance from the Governor’s office and of [the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs], along with the work of our various committees, that we will be able to have a safe and successful Fall II Season.”
The Fall II season was created last August by the MIAA amid the coronavirus pandemic and is slated to run from Feb. 22 to April 25. There will be no post season or statewide tournaments.
Another team that will play from Feb. 22- April 25 is the league champion Melrose High volleyball team. The last time we saw them they were battling against undefeated Lynnfield in the Div. 2 North Semifinals and fell in three sets. This season, we will see them compete twice against Middlesex Freedom League teams with no post season. Additionally, the Melrose High girls’ swim team will finally plunge in the pool to participate in a full season of virtual meets. It is expected that indoor track will also run—competing outside—with a planned delayed opening to the season. (Spring track will run as slated in the spring season) Also running: non competitive cheer and Unified Basketball.
Like this winter sports season, count on video footage being offered by the team at Melrose High TV.
While it is not official at this time, there will reportedly be no spectators allowed at the indoor volleyball games and just one spectator per athlete allowed at outdoor football games, which will likely be held on Saturdays, with some Friday night or Sunday options. Spectator guidelines are in keeping with the fan policy followed during the fall and winter seasons for Middlesex League schools.
The game modifications laid out by the MIAA aren’t as stringent as the guidelines placed upon fall sports, and they’re similar to those applied this winter to high school basketball and hockey, which focused primarily on social distancing, sideline conduct and the restriction of locker rooms. Expect very few changes to the game itself.
Most Massachusetts volleyball teams did not play in the fall, so many will be competing in the upcoming Fall 2 season. Modifications include cleaning volleyballs between sets and a limited roster of 15 players for a game.
For football, there will be no locker room use. No handshakes. A limit of six coaches. Football teams can’t dress more than 45 plays for a game. Injured players can’t be allowed on the sidelines. Huddles must be spaced out. Additionally, the state’s Office of Environmental Affairs prohibits indoor football practice even in inclement weather.
The entire list of modifications can be found at www.miaa.net.
Game on!
