FCPS/WPS sports schedule release
Through all the uncertainty that schools and high school athletics have been through the past several months, we have some good news to share with you and to make public. We're pleased to release our 2020-21 schedules, including our football schedules.
Each of our schedules can be viewed at these sites:
Handley:
https://www.handleypride.org/page/2917/mn
James Wood:
https://jameswoodhs.rschoolteams.com/
Millbrook:
https://millbrookhs.rschoolteams.com/
Sherando:
https://sherandohs.rschoolteams.com/
For football, some explanation is probably needed. Due to the time of year that the VHSL football season has been scheduled for, the natural grass fields at the three FCPS high schools may not be playable and may not be safe. We have spoken with our athletic trainers and Frederick County Parks & Recreation (who maintains our fields under the Frederick County joint use agreement). To ensure player safety and to ensure that our fields are ready for the spring season which immediately follows the new fall season, we have partnered with Handley High School to host our varsity football games on the turf field at Handley.
The following varsity football schedule has been set up and agreed upon:
Saturday, February 27 (POD tie-breaker)
9:30 a.m. Millbrook @ Sherando
2:00 p.m. Handley @ James Wood
Saturday, March 6 (POD tie-breaker)
9:30 a.m. James Wood @ Millbrook
2:00 p.m. Sherando @ Handley
Saturday, March 13 (POD counter)
9:30 a.m. James Wood @ Sherando
2:00 p.m. Handley @ Millbrook
Saturday, March 20 (POD counter)
9:30 a.m. Sherando @ Millbrook
2:00 p.m. James Wood @ Handley
Saturday, March 27 (POD counter)
9:30 a.m. Millbrook @ James Wood
2:00 p.m. Handley @ Sherando
Friday/Saturday, April 2/3 (NWD Championship and Cross Pods)
A Pod first place vs. B Pod first place (NWD Championship game)
A Pod second place vs. B Pod second place
A Pod third place vs. B Pod third place
A Pod fourth place vs. B Pod fourth place
Friday/Saturday, April 9/10 (Region 4C semifinals AND Plus 1 games)
A Pod and B Pod #1s to Region 4C semifinals
A Pod second place vs. B Pod third place
A Pod third place vs. B Pod fourth place
A Pod fourth place vs. B Pod second place
The NWD Pods will be A) Handley, James Wood, Millbrook, Sherando; and B) Culpeper, Fauquier, Kettle Run, and Liberty.
We feel, under the existing circumstances, that limiting travel that would be outside of our immediate area will be the safest scenario for our student-athletes, coaches, officials, and spectators. As for spectators, we'll await further guidance from the State of Virginia, the CDC, the NFHS, and the VHSL as to capacity limits. For the varsity football games that will be played at Handley, the teams and crowd will need to clear the stadium immediately following the 9:30 games so that the teams and crowds for the 2:00 games can safely enter the stadium. (If field conditions allow, JV football games will be played at 4:00 p.m. at both Handley on the turf field and at Millbrook on the goal post practice field; see school schedules for dates and locations).
For team sports besides football, where possible due to VHSL contest limits, we will be using a schedule that has all NWD pod schools playing each other twice and playing the schools in the opposite NWD pod one time each. In some sports (baseball, basketball, softball) where VHSL contest limits allow more games due to the 60% rule, each school has the opportunity to play a few different schools outside of the NWD. Schedules for Competition Cheer, Cross Country, Golf, Indoor Track, Swim, and Track & Field are still being finalized due to the nature of those sports.
We will be happy to answer all questions at the scheduled press conference this morning. Also, be mindful that unless Virginia moves past Phase 3, under the current guidelines VHSL school sports in the high risk category will not take place.
Cordially,
Reed Prosser, DSA Handley High School
Craig Woshner, CSA James Wood High School
Scott Mankins, CSA Millbrook High School
Jason Barbe, CSA Sherando High School
