Watson believes there is hope fall sports will begin with official team practices Sept. 21.

“I think so,” Watson said. “At least the question was asked of the governor and his people. We weren’t given a definitive no. … I think it’s a positive that we can continue to talk to them and come up with a way for sports to come back.”

Coming back needs to happen as far as Stephan is concerned.

“I think it’,s pretty sad that they’re even considering shutting things down,” Stephan said. “These kids need to be back out for their physical and emotional states. It bothers me they’re making this political and not scientific and the scientific says that children don’t get and carry this disease even remotely the way adults can. I think it’s sad that we can’t let kids be kids and go out and play.”

Stephan also is Buffalo District Commissioner for the youth soccer leagues in the area and noted those teams lost their league games but are gathering to practice and train.

“I’m still thinking very positively about the fall,” Stephan said. “I’ll be just as disappointed as they are if they don’t get to go back.”

“To be shut in and not be able to play or see your friends … I think it’s a wide-reaching problem that we don’t let these kids go back to normal,” Stephan sad. “My hope is they’re allowed to go play. I think it’s been proven we can keep our safe areas. I personally am not afraid to coach kids.”