The Tucson Youth Football and Spirit Federation last week pushed back the start of its practices from mid-July to August 10 to give it more time to prepare for a season with restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
TYFSF president Julius Holt mentioned today in a statement to the league presidents and coaches that the organization will indeed have a season in 2020 with the first games scheduled for Sept. 5.
“Time to clear the air,” Holt wrote. “Tucson Youth Football & Spirit Federation is having a 2020 football season. Speed and conditioning can take place now. Check with your local parks for conditions and protocols.”
Parks at Marana and Oro Valley are presently open for workouts. Tucson has extended its park closures until June 22.
Holt mentioned that the TYFSF will have strict COVID-19 protocols in place that follow Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines.
TYFSF will have 13 programs competing with an 8-game schedule this season. The Tucson Scorpions have opted to play against teams in Phoenix as part of the Phoenix American Youth Football League. Two others — the Tucson Jaguars and Sahuarita 49ers — have decided not to play this season and will return in 2021.
“We decided to keep the season until someone tells us the entire state and other youth programs are done,” Holt said. “I had to listen to the parents and make sure we have protocols in place. The parents are going to play a big role in the protocols as well.
“It was a tedious process and all the associations’ presidents are in agreement to follow the protocols. Again, it will be a work in progress just like high school football and college football. We are Tucson Strong and will stay the course.”
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ALLSPORTSTUCSON.com publisher, writer and editor Javier Morales is a former Arizona Press Club award winner. He is a former Arizona Daily Star beat reporter for the Arizona basketball team, including when the Wildcats won the 1996-97 NCAA title. He has also written articles for CollegeAD.com, Bleacher Report, Lindy’s Sports, TucsonCitizen.com, The Arizona Republic, Sporting News and Baseball America, among many other publications. He has also authored the book “The Highest Form of Living”, which is available at Amazon.
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