FAIRFIELD — The Fairfield Mules were originally scheduled to host Hamilton County Friday night in week six action from the Black Diamond Conference. With the season moved to the spring due to the pandemic, the Mules and Foxes will have to wait.

There was still football Friday night at the Trainyard, the Mules’ home field.

The school held a “Meet the Team” night under the lights. The players were introduced, and then the team practiced including some seven on seven drills as well as some special challenges for the linemen. The practice is one of the team’s 20 contact days permitted in September and October.

This practice was different though. Each player and cheerleader was given four tickets. Those were the only fans allowed in the stadium. Head coach Justin Townsend called it a “test run” for how it may look in the spring. His players socially distanced on the sidelines, and when the helmets came off, the neck gaiters had to be pulled up.

The players said even though it was just a practice, having it under the lights with the cheerleaders and fans in the stands made it feel a lot different. They just hope to get a chance at that feeling again come March.