Local Sports

High school athletes face a tough and short season.

Health department and school district reach agreement allowing season to take place.

The rink is divided and the practice schedule is shortened, but young players can still hit the ice at Roosevelt Park.

Earlier this month, the Season B start date was pushed to  Feb. 1 based on indications from state health officials the season would not be allowed under COVID-related restrictions, but the Colorado High School Activities Association today announced it has received state variances to allow a January start.

Also earning CHSAA honors were Skyline guard Oscar Aranday and defensive lineman Joel Hesse, Longmont quarterback Keegan Patterson, receiver Caleb Johnson and defensive tackle Aiden Gaddis, Silver Creek receiver Eli Hubert and Mead QB Gavin Garrettson, and Niwot QB Ayden Bartko and wide receiver Craig Wright.

“We, as educational leaders, need to provide our students with coping strategies and resilience in navigating their current world that has been turned upside down by decisions out of their control as a result of the negative impacts of COVID-19,” Colorado High School Activities Association Commissioner Rhonda Blanford-Green stated in a news release.

The decision was made based on indications from state health officials that the season would not be allowed under current COVID-related restrictions.

Justinian Jessup, who was Golden State Warriors' as 51st pick in NBA draft, will play in National Basketball League when season starts in January.

Mead pulled its football team out of the Colorado High School Activities Association playoffs on Monday after a positive COVID-19 case forced the entire team to quarantine as a precaution, according to Mead Athletic Director Chad Eisentrager.

Skyline finished 5-1, but its RPI ranking was much lower than any of the eight teams included in the playoff bracket released on Sunday. Mead plays Pueblo South on Thursday.