High School Football teams are in some limbo and want some kind of structure going forward.

When the NYSPHSAA put out their guidelines on Friday, football and volleyball were left with starting practice with no contact on September 21 and then virtually, "we'll see."

Brighton football coach Steve Lian believes that the fact that other states have started is providing a benchmark for New York. According to the NFHS guidelines that other states which have begun football have been following, phase one follows the guidance put forth on Friday by NYSPHSAA, with small groups, spread out and no shared equipment, which means no passing. Phase two would start a week later with bigger groups and shared equipment, i.e., passing drills with the same football. Week three would be full practice, full equipment and if all the health requirements are met, games would start the following week, meaning football could potentially start October 12th.

Lian says, "I don't want it to be the perception that football coaches are sitting here saying, let us play, rip the band aid off and let's just go. I'm saying, let's do this thoughtfully, let's follow the data, let's not rush anything but let's at least put forward a plan that says, if things go well, these are the steps, these are the markers that we're looking for so that we can have a season."

He adds that if the COVID spikes and the season has to be paused or stopped, he'll support it but hopes not to have the season canceled without at least trying.

The question for most football coaches after reading the document is who the decision ultimately comes down to; Section 5, Section 5 football, the superintendents and boards of education or Governor Cuomo? And then, when will that governing body make the decision?

School starts on Thursday and Lian and his coaching fraternity hope some of these questions will be answered soon after.