The announcement provided clarity and hope for local athletes and coaches who have been unable to meet together, hold practices or games since schools were shut down in March due to the coronavirus pandemic.

“I’m excited about it, I’m excited for the kids,” said Patrick County High School Athletic Director Terry Harris. “I’m just glad now it’s somewhat in stone so we can go ahead and start creating our schedules and things like that.”

“It’s exciting. It’s giving our student athletes, our parents, the people in our community some hope for high school athletics,” said Magna Vista AD John Gibbs. “I’ve got a big ole smile on my face right now. It’s exciting for me as an athlete, a coach, an administrator. I’m ready for our kids to get back on the fields and on the courts and be able to play. I know they’re all excited.”

Teams will play 60 percent of their normal schedules. Football will play six games, basketball will play 14, and most others will play 10 or 12. Two weeks for postseasons and state tournaments have also been built into each season.

One stipulation in the announcement was that districts will be responsible for coming up with protocols for handling situations for games affected by COVID-19. Martinsville High School AD Tommy Golding said as of Friday the Piedmont District had not met on coming up with COVID protocols, but the league will in the coming weeks.