ALLEGHENY COUNTY, Pa, (KDKA) – More local school districts tested water with larger crowds at football matches on Friday with no restrictions on government or local gatherings.
A federal judge ruled that some government restrictions are unconstitutional, including group restrictions, while Allegheny County lifted its restrictions on Thursday.
However, many schools in the area have not yet opened the gates to everyone. Seneca Valley hosted Norwen on Friday night in their first home game of the season.
Each participant – including the band, dance team and fans – was awarded two tickets. Norwyn has also received a limited number of tickets. Seneca Valley Athletic Director Heather Lewis said the capacity of the stadium is around 16 percent.
“We will do this responsibly, and we will do it safely,” she said. “We cannot overlook that there is still a pandemic ahead.”
Lewis praised the community, with most coming out in masks and sticking to social distancing. Each NexTier Stadium bleach is marked with a red or yellow X. Yellow Xs means the ovary was open, while red Xs means the ovary is closed.
Chris Martin, the father of a senior member of the Seneca Valley soccer team, said there was some uncertainty about the summer about whether or not there will be a season.
He said, “There is nothing better on Friday night.” “Being here means everything.”
Limited ticket sales have become a popular means of crowd control across the region.
(Image source: KDKA)
After Allegheny County was announced Thursday, the Hampton Township School District announced that it will allow more people to attend sporting events, starting with Friday’s football match.
“We just heard about it late Thursday,” said Bill Cardon, director of sports at Hampton Township. “To coordinate and organize all of that with all the other things that you have to do, we just decided to start slowly.”
Every Hampton football player, fan, and squad member received two tickets. Points on the stands encouraged social distancing. The visiting team did not receive tickets.
Tony Harold, his senior son for the Hampton soccer team, said they watched the first two games of the season on live broadcast.
He said of watching a live match: “I have come to all his matches since he was in first grade, so I’m very excited.”
Cardone hopes this week’s protocols will lead to a further fan presence in the future.
He said, “At the moment, we are at 25 percent, and maybe we’ll go to 50 percent.”
