LIBERTY- “March, when days are getting long, let thy growing hours be strong to set right some wintry wrong.” Wait!… Isn't this November? Why then a quote from Caroline May's “The Sun is Out So Go Seek The Shade?”

The answer to that question can be found on the sports fields at Liberty High School as fall teams condition for their hoped-for, belated debut in March. In the topsy-turvy world of Covid-19 even the sports seasons are out of kilter.

As this writer's visits to different schools across Sullivan County continues, so too does the variety with which each district has addressed what to do to fill the void left by the fall postponement. The one thing all the districts have in common is the safety and well-being of staff and students so in all places including Liberty, temperature is taken before each workout and forms are filled out to attest that those participating have not been exposed to Covid-19 or are experiencing any symptoms that might suggest infection.

For Athletic Director Peter Bianco, now in his second year at Liberty, the decision about what to do this fall considered feedback from his fall coaching staff and the views of the administration. Consequently, Liberty's plan which would be centered around off-season preparation for the fall sports, went into effect on September 28. Each sport while designed to prepare athletes for their season within the safety guidelines set forth by the New York State Department of Health and the New York Public School Athletic Association was also open to any student from grades 7-12. It was all voluntary on the part of the coaches and students.

On Liberty's fields on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, one can find the boys soccer team practicing under the watchful eye of Coaches Debbie Simpson and Scott Hamlin, the girls soccer team mentored by Anne and Carpio Ramos, and the Football team overseen by Joe Franke and assistants Marshon Williams, Adam Lake, Tyler Vervalin and Matt Robinson.

As this week rolled around, girls basketball coaches Liz Fuentes and Lindsey Murphy had their team outside to begin conditioning for the winter season that is rapidly approaching. Boys basketball coached by Matt Robinson will begin their outdoor workouts next week as Liberty transitions its practice array from fall to winter sports. Bianco noted that Liberty's concentration has been on off-season practices replete with masks, social distancing, individual ball work, individual skills rather than team practices. Volleyball is considered a high-risk sport and is not being practiced this fall.

Liberty Football conditions and works on individual skills

While football is also considered high risk, practices have been taking place. They were authorized by the Governor starting September 21 but were prohibited from playing games or engaging in scrimmages.

Liberty's practices stress conditioning and individual drills. Coach Joe Franke felt it was important for his team to get in work this fall. “My main concern is injuries. Look at the NFL with its spate of injuries resulting from players coming in out of condition due to the shutdown from Covid-19,” he avers. Liberty still plays 11-man football and Monticello is the only other team in the county that does. All others have gone to eight man.

“My first thought about practices this fall was let's take the football out of the equation because we're not allowed to transfer a football between players,” Franke said. “Anything that involves social distance was our next step. A lot of our drills are more about tracking with your eyes and being in the right spot or position. I thought it was going to be a lot more difficult than it was. We try to make it as exciting as possible for the players because when you're not throwing passes to a receiver and lineman aren't allowed to make blocks, it is difficult for them but so far they seem to be having a good time. I'm happy that the school gave us the okay and that they trust us to do this professionally.”

Drills include positions for kickoff returns, staying in lanes and offensive line steps.

“We're putting in a new offense this year and we're working on some of the timing on that but obviously taking the ball out of the equation leaves a lot of football and steps,” said Franke. “There is no weight room program because we're not allowed to use the indoor facilities.”

The practices are mainly for varsity players since Liberty decided to nix its modified sports and junior varsity contests for the entire year. The offensive drills involved splitting the players up into lineman, quarterback, running backs and wide receivers.

Liberty is coming off of a 4-5 season in which they missed Sectionals by one game for the second straight year. The 2019 Indians were senior-loaded so this year will feature a lot of younger players with a nucleus of returning upper classmen. Liberty is in a division with Burke, Marlboro, O'Neill, Roundout Valley and Highland.

To be sure, much is missing from football practice including pads, helmets, tackling, passing, etc. But the basics are there and it's a whole lot better than inactivity. By the time March rolls around the days will be getting longer as Caroline May's poem informs and to paraphrase her verse, the growing hours will hopefully set right some of the fall and winter's long dreary nights. Hopefully the virus will take its flight and things will once again be all right. Let's hope.