Football Families Can Root For The Home Team In 'Fall 2'

BEVERLY, MA — While the cold kept many North Shore teams in the "Fall 2" season off the field Monday, football games are planned for within the next two weeks with the Northeastern Conference allowing two immediate family or household members in the stadium per player or cheerleader for the home team only.

Fans will not be permitted at road games to start the season.

The football season kicks off March 12 with Danvers playing at Masconoment, Winthrop playing at Peabody and Saugus playing at Gloucester. All games begin at 5 p.m.

Beverly will travel to Marblehead on Saturday at 2 p.m. on March 13, while Salem faces Swampscott at Bishop Fenwick at 4 p.m.

"We are all extremely proud of the effort that our student-athletes have put into their sport, their academics and their compliance with the COVID regulations," the Beverly Athletic Department said in relaying the policy on Tuesday. "Here at Beverly, we want to give our parents an opportunity to see their child play. But we need your cooperation to make this happen."

In Beverly, fans must stay outside of the fenced area surrounding the track with masks on and social distancing throughout the entire time on campus.

A similar policy will be in place for the volleyball season with games set to begin on March 9.

Each player will be allowed two family or household members in for home games only. Players will be asked to fill out a "guest list" for their invitees prior to each match. Guests will then have to check-in prior to the match.

After the match, spectators must leave the court immediately and wait for their players in the parking lot.

"With everyone doing their part we will have a successful season," Beverly Athletics said.

The NEC will hold its indoor track season during "Fall 2" with most events held outdoors because of the coronavirus crisis starting the next week.

A unified basketball season will also take place during Fall 2, as well as soccer and field hockey seasons for those NEC schools that could not offer them in the traditional fall.

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(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)

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