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Football is back, but it isn’t going to be the usual.

Yeah, spectators will be able to see their favorite teams or players on the field this fall, but with local stadium guidelines set, they’ll have to sit six-feet apart from each other and a certain percentage of fans can occupy the stadiums because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Earlier this week, I met with a coach to get a picture of a player for our annual football edition, and he said he’s just excited to get back to football.

The coach, Northview head football coach Wes Summerford, along with the rest of the Escambia County School District (Fla.) are having to wait a little longer for the season to begin.

Fall practice for the Chiefs begins next Mon., Aug. 24. The first date for the Alabama High School Athletic Association and Alabama Independent School Association is on Aug. 21.

Northview is slated to start its season on Fri., Sept. 11.

The staggered start for local teams beginning their seasons makes sense because of the pandemic.

But given that we have been through the pandemic since the middle of March, we can finally say that football is back.

With that, please wear a face covering (mask) and practice social distancing when you’re at football games.

Yell at the top of your lungs, but six feet away from anybody else.

Go to the concession stand to support school organizations, but stay six-feet away from anybody else.

When you go to the bathroom, even if the bathroom doesn’t have soap, wash your hands. You can wash your hands under some running water just make sure you’re rubbing your hands together to create friction.

Please enjoy this fall football season, whether it’s high school or college, because it’s one that we all will never forget.