MHSAA: High School Football Returning This Fall

The MHSAA announced Thursday that high school football is returning this fall, following Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s approval.

The 2020 football season is currently in a dead period. Practice without pads begins Tuesday, Sept. 8, with pads permitted on Thursday, Sept. 10.

Teams may begin regular-season games on Sept. 18, and will play a six-game schedule, beginning with originally-scheduled Week 4 games.

All 11 and 8-player teams will qualify for the postseason, with 8-player finals set for the weekend of Nov. 27-28 and 11-player finals scheduled for Dec. 4-5.

“We are thankful for the opportunity for kids to get back on the field in all fall sports, and we appreciate Governor Whitmer providing that opportunity with Executive Order 176 ,” MHSAA Executive Director Mark Uyl said in a statement. “We share the Governor’s priorities of putting health and safety first, and the COVID-19 guidance and protocols designed by the MHSAA at her request have led to the safe starts in all sports across the state.

“Thirty three other states are currently participating in all fall sports, and the MHSAA and its member schools are committed to doing this as safely as possible.  We are ready to again provide those experiences to students and communities that have hoped for a return of some normalcy. Given the challenges of online education in many school districts across the state, providing sports and a daily routine may be more important than ever in motivating students and providing a safe outlet for physical activity, competition and socialization.”

All other fall 2020 postseason tournaments will go on as previously scheduled.