It turns out football fans will be on hand to cheer for the Wilson Bulldogs and Gov. Mifflin Mustangs as they enter Gurski Stadium for the season opener Sept. 18.

The Wilson School Board on Tuesday approved a plan to expand spectator capacity beyond the state’s COVID-19 recommended levels of 25 for indoor gatherings and 250 for outdoor gatherings.

Wilson will allow more than twice that number, 609, into Gurski Stadium for contests. That figure includes players, coaches, medical staff, bands, cheerleaders and others considered essential. Still, that will allow another 300 or so fans — likely parents, though that has not been determined by the district — to see the game in person.

“We’re trying to be proactive, to make the local decisions the state has entrusted us with so that our student-athletes, our families, our band and cheerleaders have an experience that is memorable and meaningful,” Dr. Richard Faidley, Wilson superintendent, said early Wednesday afternoon.

The 25/250 gathering limits have been difficult for high schools to apply to sports. Large schools such as Wilson and Gov. Mifflin have 60-80 or more players on their rosters; essential personnel alone would surpass the 250 limit.

For indoor events, such as girls volleyball, the number of players and essential personnel is double the 25-person limit, meaning some players and coaches must be stationed outside the gym during matches.

Wilson’s ruling will make sure that doesn’t happen and will allow for a limited number of spectators.

It’s possible Wilson is the first district in the state to make such a move.

Wilson was ahead of the state legislature, where a bill that would allow each school district to set its own spectator limits was passed Wednesday afternoon by the Senate; the House passed it last week. The bill moves now moves to the desk of Gov. Tom Wolf.

As with many issues regarding health and safety plans designed to combat the coronavirus, the state orders regarding local gatherings have been vague and have led to numerous questions.

Faidley said the school board considers the state limits as guidelines, not strict rules.

Anyone entering any of Wilson’s sports venues will be required to have their temperature checked and to wear a mask throughout the contest.

Capacity for contests at Wilson’s gymnasium, where girls volleyball matches are played, has been set at 366.

Capacity at Snyder Natatorium, where water polo is played in the fall, is 87.

At Mack Field, adjacent to Gurski Stadium, a 97-person limit has been established. Mack Field is used for boys and girls soccer and field hockey in the fall.

The school has shifted some soccer and field hockey games from Mack Field to Gurski Stadium in order to better accommodate spectators.

Spectators will be required to maintain 6 feet of social distance and will be limited to seating areas on the home and visitor’s side. No fans will be allowed on the track surrounding the field.

The bill could sit on Wolf’s desk for as long as 10 days if he opts not to sign it into law; that would take it past the start of football in District 3 on Sept. 18 (some schools in the state are starting Friday).

Faidley said the school board was encouraged by the state legislation, but said the district will proceed with plans for expanded capacity regardless of that outcome.

“Local communities have had to pivot based on new information and based on (their) desire (to expand capacity),” Faidley said.

Wilson board member Jay Nigrini, who introduced the motion, said he heard from parents who were upset they would not be allowed to see their children play.

“We had a lot of parents (mentioning) that their child can get hurt and there’s no parent there to make sure (of) their well-being,” Nigrini said. “Any parent would be worried about what would happen. We heard that loud and clear.”

The board approved the motion 8-1, same as it did in deciding late last month to proceed with fall sports in the face of the pandemic.

“We want to make sure we are not doing anything to facilitate the spread of COVID,” Nigrini said. “At same time, if we’re allowed to have individuals within our (school) building that clearly exceed capacity limit — hundreds of kids every day — we believe we’re also able to establish some guidelines to make sure our parents observe these activities, and to do so safely.”