Virus concerns prompt quarantine for Kewaskum HS football

It is "timeout" for the Kewaskum High School football team before the season even kicks off.

District leaders canceled the first two games after two players tested positive for the coronavirus.

"It's very disappointing. I think that all of our kids want to play," Mark Bazata, curriculum director for the Kewaskum School District, said. "We want our students to be able to engage normally. But at the same time, I think when it comes down to it, we want to make sure our students are safe and we`ve got to put that first."

Bazata said after consulting with the WIAA and county health department, the entire football program has been placed in quarantine -- with the exception of six players; the head coach said they had no contact with the infected individuals.

Kewaskum High School football field

Six players practice after positive COVID-19 tests impact the Kewaskum High School football team

"We're sanitizing equipment, we're making sure that students are staying away from each other as much as possible," said Bazata.

The last-minute audible is now the new norm for many school districts in the wake of the pandemic.

"You know, it's tough with high contact sports," Bazta said. "We do the best we can to try to protect our kids. 

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Meanwhile, in Sheboygan Falls, the high school athletic director said he is now looking for a replacement team to play -- Sheboygan Falls was scheduled to face Kewaskum on Friday -- because his athletes are not restricted by an COVID-19 concerns.

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