CHATSWORTH, Calif. — Friday Night Lights are not back on yet, but after Los Angeles County reached the threshold to allow outdoor sports to begin on Friday, players like Sierra Canyon senior linebacker Cole Bullock walked onto the field with a little extra pep in their step.
What You Need To Know
- On Tuesday, L.A. County met the 14.0 COVID cases per 100,000 residents threshold with an adjusted case rate of 12.3
- High school football scrimmages can begin after ten days of practice
- Football games would likely follow starting March 11 or March 12
- The season would end in mid-April
“It feels amazing with my team working so hard the past four years; I’m excited to after a year of a break to be out here with my friends and all my coaches. It’s exciting,” Bullock said.
On Tuesday, L.A. County’s adjusted case rate was at 12.3 per 100,000 residents. It will now be up to individual counties, schools, and districts to decide which sports will be allowed to resume. Weekly tests will be required, with results made available within 24 hours of a game.
Sierra Canyon got a jump-start on testing in January and Bullock said they have the routine down.
“It’s a safe environment for everybody, and it’s a great way to get everyone knowing to be tested,” Bullock said.
On Wednesday, the L.A. County Department of Public Health said they have “updated protocols to align with state guidance.” Cross-country and tennis are among the sports that have been allowed to resume in L.A. County with others like baseball and soccer to follow. For student athletes like Bullock, whose senior season has been hanging in the balance, this next step answers a lot of questions.
“It’s always a great appreciation. You wake up every day for the past year wondering when we are going to play again. I’m excited to get my senior year going with my teammates and all the seniors,” Bullock said.
Full pads are next and then the countdown begins to turning the lights back on.