Virginia High Schools Postpone 2020 Season; Could Play in Winter or Spring

Four of Pitt’s Class of 2021 commits won’t have high school football this fall thanks to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

The Virginia High School League announced on Wednesday that its 2020 football season will not be played in the fall. Instead, the league is studying options of playing in the winter or spring instead. If it is unable to be played in those times, it will be canceled.

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The move impacts four Pitt Class of 2021 recruits: wide receiver Myles Alston (Ocean Lakes High School, Virginia Beach, Va.), running back Rodney Hammond (B.T. Washington High School Norfolk, Va.), running back Malik Newton (Lake Taylor High School, Norfolk, Va.) and defensive end Trevion Stevenson (Phoebus High School, Hampton, Va.).

“All our efforts will continue towards advocating for the opening of sports and activities in a safe and reasonable way that will protect athletes, activity participants, coaches, officials, and the public,” VHSL executive director John Haun said in a press release. “The VHSL will continue making judgments based on the best available information and directives provided by the Governor, the Virginia Department of Health, and the Virginia Department of Education.”

The VHSL is considering three models moving forward, one with fall sports remaining in their place on the calendar, but with football, field hockey and volleyball not played. The second would switch football and other higher-risk sports to the spring season. The third would delay the start of all sports to the winter trimester. A final decision is expected July 27.