The high school football season kicks off Friday.
York Institute will limit fans for its high schools football games beginning Friday night.
Athletic Director Bruce Winningham said about 150 fans will be allowed for each game. When entering, masks, social distancing and temperature checks are required.
“TSSAA recommended one third or one fourth,” Winningham said. “We thought it would be best to go to one fourth. That does cost us a little bit more revenue compared if we went to one third capacity.”
Winningham said the family of players have priority over fans to purchase tickets. About 20 percent of the tickets will be available for the visiting team.
“The limiting the crowd has been a challenge,” Winningham said. “We went with recommendations from our health department and CDC guidelines. Figuring out exactly who gets top priority. We are taking care of our player’s parents and cheerleader’s parents.”
Winningham said other sport teams with less revenue will operate the concession stands and receive the funds. Only prepackaged food will be available for purchase. Jackson County Director of Schools Kristy Brown said its home games will try to decrease hand to hand contact while purchasing concessions.
“We are considering having the concession stand workers to take the food and hot items to the stands to eliminate a line,” Brown said.
Brown said after hearing comments from parents, the school system decided to move middle school sporting events to the high school to allow social distancing.
