There was no band, no student section and no sold-out crowd at Acadiana on Friday night for the first round of the playoffs. But Acadiana, playing through the pouring rain, still did what it does best: win.
Under strict new coronavirus guidelines, the Rams soared to a 44-7 victory over Covington. They held the Lions to negative 24 yards in the first three quarters of the game.
Winning comes easy for Acadiana, the reigning 5A state champion. Controlling the coronavirus — and therefore ensuring they have a chance to defend their title — is more difficult.
More: Acadiana Preps football playoffs scoreboard | First Round
"We don't want something like that to cause us not to have that opportunity," head coach Matt McCullough said. "I think they've been doing a great job."
The playoffs began as Louisiana — and the country — battles an uptick in coronavirus cases. Both the state and the LHSAA added additional precautions this week in an attempt to combat the spread.
Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards reduced attendance capacity at athletic events to 25 percent. The LHSAA, in a memo sent to member schools earlier this week, reinforced the guidelines they set at the beginning of the season. A $500 fine will be sent to schools that fail to comply.
"I can't emphasize enough the importance of adherence," Eddie Bonine, the LHSAA executive director, said in the memo.
"If we want to continue interscholastic participation as we currently know it, then we need to take any/all precautionary measures to do so," he continued.
At Acadiana, that meant family members were no longer allowed to sit next to each other. Blue X’s lined the stands indicating where fans could sit. Only parents of football players, cheerleaders and band members were given tickets.
There were about 100 fans in attendance, and majority wore masks and adhered to the strict rules.
"It was kind of wack," Tyvin Zeno, who scored three touchdowns in the Rams' win, said about the atmosphere. "It is what is. We still balled out and got the W."
McCullough is taking no chances with his team. He knows how dire the consequences are if a player tests positive. Besides the health risks COVID-19 carries, the team would be forced to forfeit its next game, eliminating them from the playoffs. Two area teams — Carencro and Ascension Episcopal — had their opponents forfeit the first-round games.
McCullough preaches to his team to avoid large gatherings and parties. He also works with the school administration to provide additional distancing between football players and other students. Acadiana will return to hybrid learning after the Thanksgiving break, which will provide additional protection.
With the win, Acadiana advances to the second round of the playoffs, where they will play East Ascension. Until then, McCullough will be working with his team to refine all the little details, both on and off the field.
"It's been a long road to get to this point," McCullough said. "I think no matter what happens, they want the opportunity to finish on the field."
The Link LonkNovember 28, 2020 at 12:10PM
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Winning is easy for Acadiana, but avoiding coronavirus takes extra precaution - Daily Advertiser
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