Game On! Wayzata Football, Volleyball Set To Play As Defending State Champs

 
In an about face, the Minnesota State High School League’s Board of Directors is allowing football and volleyball teams to compete this fall.

The reversal comes after a vote on Aug. 4, when the board approved postponing football and volleyball until a spring season due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The football season officially begins Monday, Sept. 28 when teams can start practicing.

Teams will play a six-game regular season beginning the week of Oct. 5.

“The High School League made a decision to re-evaluate and look at everything going and decided we are going to play and we are excited about that,” said Wayzata Football Head Coach Lambert Brown via Zoom video now available on Wayzata.com.

Meanwhile, practices begin for volleyball teams on Monday, Sept. 28 as well.

Volleyball matches begin on Oct. 8.

“(The) decision, based on what we currently know and with the unknowns of what spring will bring, is based on the belief that playing now provides us the best opportunity to play a football and volleyball season,” said Board of Directors President Blaine Novak.

“Our volleyball student-athletes are really excited to have a season,” said Wayzata Head Volleyball Coach Scott Jackson.

One element that will be missing from volleyball matches this season is the fans in the stands. This is one of the tradeoffs to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

“Our parents have been really supportive of their daughters and their coaches,” said Jackson. “They, of course, wish to be allowed to be in-person spectators of our matches, but they realize and accept that isn’t a possibility currently. All teams will have to create their own energy without fans present.”

2019 was a magical year for both the Wayzata Trojan football and volleyball teams.

The football team under the direction of Head Coach Lambert Brown marched through the season capping it off with a win over Champlin Parkin the state championship.

Meanwhile, the volleyball team had an equally stellar season. That squad won its first state championship by defeating Eagan.

Can these teams repeat? We’ll know sooner than later.

 Football Schedule (home games in bold):

10/9 Prior Lake

10/15 @ St. Michael-Albertville

10/23 Eden Prairie

10/30 @ Minnetonka

11/6 Shakopee

11/11 @ Burnsville

Volleyball Schedule (home games in bold):

10/8 @ Edina

10/12 @ Hopkins

10/14 St. Michael-Albertville

10/22 @ Eden Prairie

10/27 Buffalo

10/29 Hopkins

11/2 Edina

11/4 @ St. Michael-Albertville

11/10 Minnetonka

11/12 Eden Prairie

11/19 @ Buffalo

11/24 @ Minnetonka 

 

Football – 

 

Volleyball –