ANNA — Before every summer workout, Anna-Jonesboro head football coach Brett Detering and his staff take every players’ temperature and ask a series of wellness questions. The same scene is playing out at every Illinois high school, in every sport, at every practice.
Welcome to trying to get sports back during a pandemic, where social distance has replaced down and distance.
We visited the Wildcats’ practice Wednesday night, the day before the IHSA sent out further guidance, limiting the amount of contact during summer workouts. While it’s a hassle, and certainly not what summer practices have traditionally looked like, Detering is a firm believer in doing whatever is necessary to try to avoid a repeat of the spring when all sports seasons were cancelled.
According to Detering, who is heading into his 24th season as the Wildcats head coach, the unknown of what the future holds might be the toughest part.
A-J is scheduled to open the season August 28 at home against West Frankfort.