TRI-CITY AREA — The fall high school sports season has been put on hold again, just weeks before it was slated to finish.

The Michigan High School Athletic Association has suspended its fall tournaments for girls’ volleyball, girls’ swimming and diving as well as football plus all winter practices and competitions scheduled to begin over the next three weeks per the emergency order to pause activity announced Sunday by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) to limit the spread of COVID-19.

The volleyball and swimming and diving tournaments have one week remaining, with MHSAA finals for both previously scheduled for this Saturday. The 11 and 8-player football playoffs also are nearing their conclusions, with the 8-player postseason two games from completion and 11-player down to its final three rounds.

“We understand the need for action and we will explore all options to complete our fall tournaments when restrictions are lifted,” Michigan High School Executive Director Mark Uyl said. “We will assess everything over the next three weeks relative to fall and winter sports and come up with a plan that keeps us connected to our goal, for months, of having three seasons that are played to their conclusions,” he noted.

No further comments were available at this time.

Kevin Kissane has been covering high school sports for the Tri-City Times since 1985. When not standing on a field or court with his camera and notepad, he enjoys golf, travel and family. Kevin is a 1980 graduate of Capac High School, and is also a grad of St. Clair Community College and earned a degree in journalism from Central Michigan University.