Pinckneyville High School Football team, several students quarantined

PINCKNEYVILLE, Ill. (KFVS) - The first football game for the Pinckneyville High School Panthers has been canceled due to the coronavirus.

According to Athletic Director Bob Waggoner, the entire football team and several students have been placed in quarantine after one student athlete tested positive and several were showing COVID-19 symptoms.

The announcement was made on Tuesday, August 24.

In a letter posted by Waggoner on the PCHS twitter page, he said the football team had done well following COVID-19 protocols, but the situation remains fragile.

“As always, the health, safety and welfare of our students-athletes, coaches and staff is our number one priority,” stated Waggoner.

“It was a sad moment a lot of tears in the room.”

Dr. Tony Wilson had a tough time cancelling their season-opening game before they had a chance to take this field but they had no choice.

“It’s hard to isolate what kids are coming in contact with who but when you’re having full contact practices, scrimmages, and drills. You have to air on the side of caution,” he said.

Wilson said they’re taking extra steps to clean the school building, along with following the state’s school mask mandate. He just hopes his players can keep their spirits up as they look ahead to the rest of the season.

“The athletes, students and coaches they understood they understand the big picture,” he said. “It’s a minor setback but we can still get back on the field in a couple of weeks.”

Dr. Wilson said the team quarantine lasts for two full weeks, meaning the Panthers will have to miss their second game at West Frankfort on September 3.

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