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The Montana High School Association recently released its guidelines to return to fall activities, announcing the directives, requirements and considerations for schools to compete in activities this fall.

Football and volleyball practice can begin Friday, August 14 and competitions can be held on Thursday, Aug. 27. The CCHS football boys will have their first game on September 4 at home versus Broadus. The volleyball team plays the same day in Terry.

“Resumption of sports and other activities is crucial to the growth, development and mental and emotional wellness of our Montana youth,” MHSA said in a letter to schools across the state.

Schools must adhere to the MHSA guidelines, as well as directives from the state and local health departments, in order for the resumption of sports in Montana. The MHSA has created five tiers for its return to sports, with each tier containing different guidelines.

The lone cancellation of MHSA events so far is the all-state music festival originally scheduled for October 14-16.

Each sport also has specific guidelines and requirements regarding competition. Volleyball teams are not allowed to have multi-team events, such as the Willa Nies Memorial Tournament in Ekalaka.

The admission of fans to activities will be determined by each school in accordance with their local health departments.

Social distancing is at the forefront of the individual activities' guidelines, with an intent to limit participation of specific moments of the games. For example, the team box in football will be extended on both sides of the field to the 10-yard lines with players required to maintain social distancing at all times.

In volleyball, the home team must provide a separate basket of balls for the visitors, and teams will no longer switch benches between sets.

No out of state competition is allowed for any sport unless it is approved by the MHSA Executive Director. All athletes must have their own beverage container that is not shared. Cloth facial coverings are allowed for players, coaches and officials. Facial coverings must be a single solid color and unadorned. Face coverings must be worn per the Governor’s directive.