The Foothills also shifted moderate-risk sports field hockey and girls’ swimming, moving them to the spring. The Foothills Council will compete in low-risk sports boys’ cross country, girls’ cross country, boys’ golf and girls’ tennis this fall at the varsity level only and without spectators.

“As a district our number one priority is safety for our staff and students,” South Glens Falls Superintendent Kristine Orr said in a release on the school’s website. “The decision of the Foothills Council and our district is focused on that and the responsibility for ensuring a safe playing environment.”

The New York State Public High School Athletic Association laid out guidelines to contest sports during the coronavirus pandemic. Football and volleyball were two sports deemed high-risk and were eventually moved to begin in March. The moderate-risk sports were allowed by the NYSPHSAA to begin with practice on Sept. 21, but the Foothills Council decided to shift to a start in March.

“As athletic administrators and district officials, we are kind of in that ‘lose-lose’ situation,” Queensbury athletic director Rich Keys said. “Do you not play and try to make sure school stays open? If you don’t play, you are taking away from these kids’ opportunities. It has been miserable, honestly.”

The Adirondack took a vote Wednesday and voted 8-6 to postpone all fall sports.

Keys said the Foothills’ decision to shift moderate-risk sports to March was a choice that did not come without considerable thought.

“I am the athletic director, but I am also our district’s COVID administrator. It has been a little hectic,” Keys said. “It is a really tough decision. I think our league superintendents all got together and really collaborated with input from our athletic directors. We were prepared for going with all the sports we could with to start the fall with the exception of football, volleyball and competitive cheer. We had a contingency plan for providing those sports that are low-risk where you are less likely to have incidental contact and being able to maintain distancing.

“I think everyone has their own opinion about this stuff,” Keys added. “When you are factoring in school with the state mandates, it is known in-person instruction is the best method. Whether you are an athlete or not an athlete, everyone has the right to be in the classroom.”

Decisions continue to be made to move sports out of the fall. The Colonial Council on Wednesday chose to move girls’ swimming to the Fall Season II period to join football and volleyball. The Ballston Spa Board of Education voted to shift the boys’ and girls’ soccer seasons to Fall Season II, joining Bethlehem, becoming the second Suburban Council program to do so.

Monday, the Wasaren League decided to shift its entire fall varsity sports offerings to Fall Season II. The Western Athletic Conference pushed boys’ and girls’ soccer to Fall Season II, but will still compete in low-risk sports during the fall.

“There isn’t an athletic director in Section II that doesn’t want to provide a full complement of sports to all of our student-athletes,” Keys said. “We understand the mental health aspect of it and the desire of these kids. It breaks our hearts to make these decisions.”

jallen@timesunion.com • 518-454-5062 • @TUSidelines