OCYFL cancels fall season

by Mike Zummo
Posted 9/24/20

The Orange County Youth Football League season was always tied to the fate of the high school football season, and when the New York State Public High School Athletic Association postponed high …

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OCYFL cancels fall season

Posted

The Orange County Youth Football League season was always tied to the fate of the high school football season, and when the New York State Public High School Athletic Association postponed high school football until March, it took the OCYFL season with it.
OCYFL Vice President Gary Specht said in an email on Thursday the fall season has been canceled.
Specht also said some member programs will conduct agility clinics or flag football and those programs will be required to follow all social distance requirements set forth by the CDC.
Those will be administrated by the individual programs and not the OCYFL.
The OCYFL, which usually opens it preseason on Aug. 1 initially postponed the start of its season until Aug. 24, which was the original date for fall football practice to begin. And when the NYSPHSA postponed the start of fall sports to Sept. 21 to allow time for schools to get students back into session after being closed since March, the OCYFL postponed its season again to match as it takes its cues from Section 9.

When the league postponed until September, Vice President Gary Specht had said any further delays would likely result in the season’s cancellation.
The NYSPHSAA announced on Sept. 9 that football, volleyball and competitive cheerleading, fall sports that were deemed “high risk”, were postponed until March 1. They could have practiced beginning Sept. 21 with heavy restrictions limiting contact.
In a message to families on Sept. 10, the town of Newburgh Youth Football program said there was no further information about rescheduling the season.
Families are asked to contact the league for a full refund, or they may roll payment into the next season that plays.
Marlboro Youth Football leaders, in a message to families called the news a “tough pill to swallow”, but it was the best decision to make.
Marlboro expects to lose many football players and cheerleaders as they age out of the program and many coaches will go with them. The program is planning to hold a recognition event for the players who have aged out and is seeking football and cheer coaches for all levels next year.
Valley Central Youth football directors said they are contacting parents to discuss refund options and the Pine Bush program is working on getting refunds out.
Specht said OCYFL officials are still discussing whether to play in the spring, but no decisions have been made at this time.