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By Brian Pitts

Davie Enterprise Record

The sports world was halted in March by the COVID-19 pandemic – we’re now more than five months into the shutdown as far as school sports are concerned – but last week brought hope that a game story that wasn’t pulled from a dusty archive will come in November.

The last time we heard from Davie sports was March 13, when the JV and varsity girls soccer teams hosted Bishop McGuinness. The last time we saw Davie’s middle schools in action was March 11, when North Davie baseball/softball, South Davie baseball and Ellis girls soccer were on the field.

The 2020-21 sports calender was supposed to begin Aug. 13 with a Davie girls tennis match at Carson. JV/varsity volleyball was set to play at Page Aug. 18. Davie JV football and varsity boys soccer were scheduled to open Aug. 20. Davie varsity football was going to kick off its season Aug. 21 at Page. Girls golf and cross country would have taken off Aug. 31.

But the coronavirus erased all that. On Aug. 11, NCHSAA Commissioner Que Tucker issued a statement regarding an amended 2020-21 sports calender.

“You all have been waiting patiently for a decision from the NCHSAA relative to an amended sport calendar for the 2020-2021 academic year,” Tucker said. “Please keep in mind that these proposed dates are dependent on COVID-19 conditions improving across N.C. However, last night the Board of Directors approved a framework we believe maximizes the opportunities for students in our membership to participate in athletics at some point during this school year, regardless of what plan a school and/or school system operates.

“The NCHSAA Board approved an amended calendar for the 2020-2021 school year in a special called meeting for this purpose on Aug. 11 via Zoom. There is still much work to be done on the details of implementing athletic programs and contests during this pandemic. We recognize that this is a lot of information to digest and drastically different from the way the sport calendar has been aligned for years in North Carolina. However, as we mentioned many weeks ago, “We will play again.” In that mantra we believe, and it is in that spirit that we present this calendar. It is the belief of the Board of Directors and our staff that this calendar provides us the greatest chance of providing interscholastic athletic opportunities to the students of the NCHSAA for the 2020-2021 academic year. We believe that this is the best path forward to a safe return to the field.

“Our decision-making process has been careful and calculated, as we work to ensure the health and safety of all student-athletes, coaches and administrators during this unprecedented time. There is still much work to be done in regard to playoff formats, COVID-19 related rules modifications for numerous sports, securing potential playoff facilities and providing the safest possible regular-season opportunities for student-athletes. We are committed to that work and will continue to lead and govern interscholastic athletic programs across this state that support and enrich the educational experience provided by our member schools in such a manner to maintain the standards of excellence that the NCHSAA has become known for.”

Cross country and volleyball will be the first out of the gate in November. Toe will meet leather for football-crazed Davie County in February.

High School Schedules

Nov. 4-Jan. 8: cross country and volleyball (first competition Nov. 16)

Nov. 23-Jan. 30: swimming (first competition Dec. 7)

Dec. 7-Feb. 19: basketball (first game Jan. 4)

Jan. 11-March 12: boys soccer (first game Jan. 25)

Feb. 8-April 9: football (first game Feb. 26)

March 1-April 30: golf, boys tennis, girls soccer and softball (first competition March 15)

April 12-June 11: baseball, girls tennis, track & field and wrestling (first competition April 26)

May 1: cheerleading invitational