Wisconsin high school football returns, virus precautions in place

Wisconsin high school football returns for some, virus precautions in place

Capacity limits were set for crowds and games were live-streamed as some southeastern Wisconsin high schools returned to the gridiron.

MENOMONEE FALLS, Wis. - High school football is starting late, and not all schools are involved, but the lights will be on again at some fields across southeastern Wisconsin on Friday night, Sept. 25.

Among the teams squaring off on Friday are Brookfield Central and Menomonee Falls -- and some precautions are being taken as the COVID-19 pandemic continues.

There will be no packed crowds at the Menomonee Falls field, but the team is allowing fans in.

Football players, dancers and cheerleaders each get two tickets -- setting a max capacity around 200 people for Friday night. Masks and social distancing are recommended.

"Obviously for the kids it's great because they're playing in front of their family, which we like to do," said Brian Heimark, Menomonee Falls High School athletic director. "Obviously, we want them to be able to play in front of their peers.

"This is the icing, you know. Our first goal was to get the kids out here to be able to compete and to get some fans in the stands is great."

The game will be live-streamed for every other fan who can't make it inside.

Crowd size restricted due to COVID-19 at a Slinger Owls high school football game

Similarly, in Slinger, fans were capped at two per player and a live stream was made available.

"The little bit of normalcy we have tonight is absolutely fantastic," said Mike Daniels, Slinger High School athletic director.

"They are not allowing a lot of people in which I totally understand," said parent Tim German. "I'm very happy I'm in here to get to watch the game."

Slinger football fans who could not get in found their own best seat in the house.

"We have people around the fences almost begging to get in," Daniels said.

The crowd under Slinger's Friday night lights was a fraction of what it used to be -- but there is no limit on community pride.

"When you see those kids run out on the field those same goosebumps come back whether there are 2,000 people in the stands or just those important parents," said Daniels.

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The players will be masked on the sidelines. Per the WIAA, they are allowed to spread out between the 10-yard lines on either side of the field.

Teams from Milwaukee Public Schools programs are not playing football.