Football Season Planned For Fairfield Schools With 7-On-7

FAIRFIELD, CT — Fairfield schools will have a football season, albeit one that differs from those of years past, according to the superintendent.

Athletes at Fairfield Warde and Fairfield Ludlowe high schools will compete against nearby schools in the 7-on-7 version of the sport, instead of the 11-versus-11 tackle format most people associate with high school football, superintendent Mike Cummings said Tuesday at a Board of Education meeting.

“We want to offer something,” he said.

Cummings made the announcement after the Connecticut Interscholastic Athletic Conference Board of Control determined last week that full-contact football would not be an option for fall 2020. The state Department of Public Health deemed the sport too high-risk in the face of the coronavirus pandemic, although the CIAC board did agree to consider allowing schools to postpone 11-versus-11 football until later in the academic year.

The CIAC’s decision not to move forward with tackle football in the fall followed weeks of uncertainty and a rally at the state Capitol to show support for the full-contact football season. The event drew more than 1,000 players, coaches, parents and others.

“We are very concerned about the kids,” Cummings said, noting the lengthy period of indecision that preceded the cancellation of fall tackle football.

Fairfield athletic directors have begun working with coaches to assemble 7-on-7 teams, Cummings said, with a formal announcement about the season to come.

Fairfield schools will play teams from neighboring towns in a regional Fairfield County Interscholastic Athletic Conference format, with competing schools such as Fairfield Prep and St. Joseph High School in Trumbull, according to Cummings. Varsity, junior varsity and freshman athletes may have the opportunity to play. Parents will be able to attend some games.

Club teams playing 11-versus-11 football have also begun to form across Fairfield County, Cummings said, adding Fairfield schools will not be involved with the clubs due to liability concerns.