Novi High School announced Wednesday night that it is suspending all sports activity though the weekend until Sunday, Sept. 20 after five students tested positive for COVID-19. The school is also moving to remote learning on Thursday and Friday.

The decision impacts competition for multiple sports, including the Novi football team’s season opener at Brighton this Friday night. Per MHSAA rules, Novi will be forced to forfeit the game.

“Five Novi High students tested positive for Covid-19 this week,” the district announced on its website. “The Oakland County Health Division has not completed its investigation and contact tracing. To err on the side of caution, we need Novi High School students to be home Thursday and Friday.”

Novi athletic director Brian Gordon tweeted that all Novi High School students “may not use athletic facilities at Novi High School and middle school during this time. Novi middle school athletic events will run as scheduled.”

Along with the cancellation of the varsity football game, Thursday’s freshman and junior varsity games will not be played. Novi boys tennis and girls swimming and diving will have to reschedule or cancel their respective Thursday competitions. The boys varsity soccer had games scheduled for Thursday and Saturday while JV soccer also had a game scheduled for Saturday.

MORE

Utica football team will end coronavirus quarantine Wednesday, canceled game per MHSAA rule

Utica football cancels opening game due to coronavirus quarantine

Muskegon Heights postpones football, volleyball seasons amid COVID-19 concerns