COVID-19 issue with Lebanon football causes early scrambling in 2021 schedule

After the coronavirus pandemic shortened the 2020 football season causing cancellations and frequent rescheduling, the 2021 season has already been hit with a COVID-19 issue.

Monday afternoon Lebanon athletic director Keith Pantling released a statement saying the Warriors could not make their Aug. 20 opener at Springboro due to contact tracing. 

Due to a recent increase in student-athletes unavailable to compete, including one entire position group, Lebanon football is unable to play Friday night at Springboro. While no players are COVID-positive at this time, several football student-athletes are in quarantine due to contact tracing (per the Health Department).

The JV game on Saturday is also canceled. The freshmen game will still be played.

It is very disappointing that we will not be opening our 2021 season this Friday. Our heart goes out first and foremost to all of the Lebanon and Springboro student-athletes who have been through so much since the pandemic began and worked so hard under difficult circumstances to prepare themselves to perform. They have done so well following protocols, but as we are finding out first-hand, playing football during this time continues to be a fragile situation.

As always, the health, safety and welfare of our student-athletes, coaches and staff is our number one priority.

That leaves Lebanon with nine games on the schedule assuming their issues are corrected by their home opener Aug. 27 vs. Miamisburg. The Warriors will begin play in the Eastern Cincinnati Conference on Sept. 3 at West Clermont. 

Lebanon did get in 10 games last season as the OHSAA allowed teams to compete until Nov. 14 even after elimination from the shortened postseason. After a playoff loss to Mason, Lebanon beat Miamisburg, lost to Milford and beat Walnut Hills to finish the season 4-6.

Lebanon's cancellation leaves Springboro with an immediate opening for this weekend. 

Initially, Springboro made an offer to play Clinton-Massie as the Falcons don't begin until Aug. 27 at Anderson. Springboro athletic director Austin Rhoads confirmed that Clinton-Massie couldn't play.

Should the Panthers not be able to compete Friday, they will start the season Aug. 27 at Middletown's Barnitz Stadium. 

Last season, some games were scheduled on the fly with barely any preparation as teams either couldn't compete due to COVID-19 issues or were restricted from competing.

Almost a year ago, Winton Woods couldn't play ECC opponent Kings due to COVID complications and Edgewood's opener with Fenwick was stopped for the same reasons. Within a day the two schools came together and played. Winton Woods prevailed and later beat Edgewood again in a playoff match.

Also in 2020, Middletown didn't play until Sept. 4 due to district policy. The Middies were voted back by their school board in late August but were only able to play seven games.

Cincinnati Public Schools didn't begin playing until Sept. 18. Walnut Hills was able to play seven games. From the Cincinnati Metro Athletic Conference, Western Hills was able to get eight games in after mid-September, but some teams played five or fewer. When other schools were permitted to play, it was difficult for CPS families to watch. 

In the end, a season was completed but not one many would care to remember minus full stadiums and with restrictions. Now, stadium restrictions have been lifted but that could all change if there are more issues.