Start of high school football season has new date of Oct. 8

It looks like the start of high school football has been pushed back by at least a month.
The LHSAA has pushed back the start of its football season until Oct. 8. LHSAA executive director Eddie Bonine sent out a memo to member schools on Wednesday that includes updated calendars for all its fall sports.
Kaplan head coach Stephen Lotief said, "At least we have a clue. We can make a plan to be ready for that date even though I guess it is subject to change."
The dates listed for football are open-ended and do not include dates for championship games. Also of note in the memo is a Sept. 8 start date for the regular volleyball season to begin. An Aug. 31 start to the regular season remains for cross country and swimming.
“I am excited,” said AHS head coach Roderick Moy, “We now have a realistic date to start.”
LHSAA fall sports seasons were scheduled to begin the week of Aug. 24 with jamborees for both volleyball and football. The regular season all sports, including swimming and cross country, was scheduled to begin on Aug. 31.
The decision is the latest change during a tumultuous year that saw the COVID-19 pandemic force the LHSAA to suspend all spring sports in mid-March before canceling them in May. Last week, Alabama and Louisiana were the only states in the National Federation of High Schools' southern region that had not announced some delay in their fall sports programs.
Throughout the summer, the LHSAA has pledged its commitment to conducting a safe return for fall sports seasons while adhering to state and CDC guidelines.
Erath football coach Eric LeBlanc read the email sent by Bonnie. He was not surprised by the LHSAA pushing back the start date.
"At least now we have a date," said LeBlanc. "We will practice three days a week and take it slow. Oct. 8 is two months away, which is a long time."
North Vermilion head football coach Brett Blakey said he received the news with, "Cautious Optimism."
Blakey said, "It all depends on what the governor does at the end of August, but we will be prepared to play on Oct. 8"
VC head football coach Broc Prejean said the coaches now have a "concrete" date as to when the season will begin.
"I am excited and relieved to get some more concrete dates as we all knew Sept. 4 was unrealistic," said "Prejean. "It'll be fun and challenging to manipulate practice plans, workouts, preparation, and a few curveball activities to keep the kids motivated and engaged. We are following that Coach O mentality of let us know when and where and we will be ready."
(The Advocate newspaper contributed to this story)