State playoff aspirations have been resuscitated in Hernando County.

The school district announced Tuesday afternoon its five public schools may begin fall sports practices on Sept. 7 and begin competition the week of Sept. 21. As a result, the schools remain eligible for the state playoff series.

Additionally, Hernando schools will compete with neighboring Citrus County in conference play. For now, both counties will utilize an online ticket vendor to limit attendance to 25 percent of a venue’s capacity.

Tuesday’s news comes slightly more than a week after Hernando’s five public-school athletic directors, in collaboration with school district administrators, set a tentative return-to-practice date of Sept. 14, with the goal of competition beginning the week of Sept. 28.

But those dates would’ve made it virtually impossible for Hernando fall sports teams to compete in the state series. As a result of a recent majority vote by the Florida High School Athletic Association’s board of directors, schools throughout the state were permitted to begin fall sports practice Monday.

Schools in Hillsborough, Pasco and Pinellas counties did just that.

“I am happy with the decision to start fall sports on Sept. 7,” Nature Coast athletic director Kristin Peeples said. “All the (athletic directors) worked hard to develop a plan that allows us to give student-athletes the opportunity they deserve to compete.”

Schools will implement additional safety protocols including daily temperature checks for athletes and face coverings while on school transportation and where appropriate. Parents will not be required to sign the waiver supplied to school districts (upon request) by the Florida High School Athletic Association, but are asked to indicate their understanding of the possibility of exposure to COVID-19.

Parents are encouraged to visit their respective school’s web site for details.