The South Carolina High School League Appellate Panel deferred a vote on the Lexington District 1 proposal until Aug. 10 at 11 a.m. The two-part plan is to adjust traditional high school sports seasons because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
SCHSL officials and high school coaches and athletic directors reportedly asked for more information and time to study the proposal. COVID-19 cases and deaths are spiking in South Carolina, designated a hot spot for the coronavirus. The delay offers high risk sports like football an alternative for a spring season under the Lexington plan.
High schools would play four seasons with low and moderate risk sports – fall, winter and two spring seasons. The sports are designated low to high risks based on the number of players. (see below).
The SCHSL last week approved a shortened season for fall sports. That remains in effect.
SCHSL approved plan
• Practice has been pushed back from July 31 to August 17.
• 7 game football season starting Sept. 11.
• Region games (girls tennis, volleyball, football) played first and shortened playoff schedule.
Football
First Game: Sept. 11 (Begin with Region play) Maximum Regular Season Games: 7
Playoffs Start: Oct. 30
State Finals: Nov. 20
Girls Tennis and Volleyball
First Contest: Aug. 31 (Begin with Region play)
Girls Tennis and Volleyball Playoffs start: Oct. 19
Girls Tennis and Volleyball State Finals: Oct. 31
Swim and Girls Golf
First Contest: Aug. 31
Swim State Finals: Oct. 10 and 12
Girls Golf Qualifiers: October 19
Girls Golf State Finals: Oct. 26-27
Cross Country
First Contest: Aug. 31
Cross Country Qualifiers: Nov. 2-7
Cross Country State Finals: Nov. 9-14
Competitive Cheer
First Contest: Sept. 12
Upper/Lower Qualifiers: Nov. 2-7 *Upper/Lower Qualifier*
Cheer State Finals: Nov. 9-14
Note: Football, Volleyball, and Girls Tennis, region play will be used to determine playoff seedings. Teams not making the playoffs in football will be allowed one additional game. Swim, Girls Golf, Cross-country, and Competitive Cheer, qualifier events will determine advancement to the respective State Finals.
Lexington District 1 Proposal
Vote scheduled Aug. 10 at 11 a.m.
Fall Sept. 21–Nov. 27 (10 weeks)
• Girls Tennis (Moderate*)
• Girls Golf (Low) (Sept 7–Oct 30, 8 weeks)
• G/B Swim (Low/Moderate) (Sept 7- Oct 30, 8 weeks)
• Baseball (Moderate*)
• Softball (Moderate*)
• Girls Lacrosse (Moderate)
• Cross Country (Low)
Winter Nov. 23–Jan. 29 (10 weeks)
• Girls Basketball (Moderate)
• Boys Basketball (Moderate)
• Spirit Cheer (Low)
Spring 1 Jan. 25–April 2 (10 weeks)
• Football (High*)
• Volleyball (Moderate*)
• Competition Cheer (High)
Spring 2 March 22–May 28 (10 weeks)
• Track (Low/Moderate)
• Wrestling (High)
• B/G Soccer (Moderate)
• Boys Golf (Low)
• Boys Tennis (Moderate*)
• Boys Lacrosse (High)
The Lexington plan also recommends shortening seasons and playoff rounds to accommodate four sports seasons during the 2020-2021 academic year.
Amount of Regular Season Contests Per Sport:
• Football — 6 V/JV
• Swim — 4 meets
• Golf — 8 V / 4 JV
• Volleyball — 12 V / 8 JV
• Cross Country — 5 meets
• Track — 5 meets
• Tennis — 12 V / 8 JV
• Wrestling — 8 V / 4 JV
• Basketball — 16 V / 12 JV
• Lacrosse — 12 V / 8 JV
• Baseball/Softball — 16 V / 12 JV
• Soccer — 12 V / 8 JV
• Competitive Cheer — 4 competitions