The University Interscholastic League (UIL) released an updated calendar for fall sports and with it came good news for local high school athletic teams.
The biggest change in the calendar is the move for all 5A and 6A fall sports to begin in September instead of the original early August date.
All schools in classifications 1A through 4A, including Snyder, Hermleigh and Ira, will remain on the original schedule, with the first day of practices for football and volleyball on August 3.
Volleyball may begin play on Aug. 10 and football Aug. 27. Both cross country and tennis can begin matches on Aug. 17.
The volleyball playoffs will begin Oct. 27 and the state championships will be held on Dec. 5. Football playoffs will begin on Nov. 7 and the state title games will be played Dec. 16 through Dec. 19. The state tennis tournament will be played Nov. 11-12 and the cross country state championship will be Dec. 5
For 5A and 6A teams, practices can begin on Sept. 7. Volleyball championships will be played Dec. 11-12 and the 5A and 6A football state title games will be played sometime in January.
Marching band competitions at all levels have been delayed until Sept. 7. Regional competitions will be held on Dec. 3
“Our goal in releasing this plan is to provide a path forward for Texas students and schools,” said UIL Executive Director Dr. Charles Breithaupt. “While understanding situations change and there will likely be interruptions that will require flexibility and patience, we are hopeful this plan allows students to participate in the education-based activities they love in a way that prioritizes safety and mitigates risk of COVID-19 spread.”
With the season starting as planned, the Snyder Tiger football team will scrimmage Brownfield on Aug. 14 and Littlefield on Aug. 20 before kicking off the season at home against Slaton on Aug. 28.