Disappointment, relief and more: How Lansing area teams are reacting to football's switch

Bill Feraco had a lot of reasons to look forward to what could unfold in the high school football season this fall.

The East Lansing coach has two of Greater Lansing's top talents in Michigan-bound receiver Andrel Anthony Jr. and Michigan State-bound lineman Ethan Boyd - both three-star prospects.

But now the veteran coach won't have that opportunity this fall with the Michigan High School Athletic Association announcing Friday that football will be shifted to the spring because of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic..

More:High school football season in Michigan shifted to spring

“A little bit of a tough one,” Feraco said of the MHSAA decision, which came hours after East Lansing postponed all of its fall sports. “At least there’s some clarity provided here. The uncertainty – living with that every day was not very pleasant. I think ultimately it was inevitable. A decision like this had to be made because people just haven’t behaved. That’s ultimately what steers it. It’s unfortunate. (I’m) disappointed obviously, as every coach is for their kids.  

“Our kids did everything we asked. There were no incidents. Now we just have to deal with it as best we can and move forward. There is a lot of bad things happening out there because of this stuff. It hasn’t touched us, but nevertheless it’s present. There’s a lot of people who have gone through a lot more hardships than us on a football field.”

DeWitt was among the schools still planning to participate in football this fall. Veteran Panther coach Rob Zimmerman was disappointed to hear the news, but supports the decision made by MHSAA Executive Director Mark Uyl and his board to shift football.

"Mark Uyl has been absolutely tremendous as executive director of the MHSAA," Zimmerman said. "He did everything in his power to make this happen for this fall. I think every football coach across the state of Michigan would agree that he's done a tremendous job in leadership. I don't think ultimately it was his choice. I think there were a lot of forces that had a hand in this happening. We're extremely supportive of Mark and the MHSAA. I think they got put in a tough position."

Uncertainty has surrounded the high school football season since the coronavirus pandemic lingered into the summer. And that increased as practice officially began Monday with programs not sure of what was next for a sport that's considered high risk for the coronavirus because of close player-to-player contact.

That uncertainty loomed at Okemos, which hadn't been permitted by its school board to do anything other than conditioning as other schools conducted official practices the last week. 

There was no guarantee Okemos was going to play football this year and a vote from the school board would have been required for high and moderate-risk sports like football and boys soccer to practice and compete. Now the decision is out of the board's hands with the MHSAA making its call.

"I felt like we were a little behind the ball from the start," Okemos coach Mike Krumm said. "Really the uncertainties with everything going on, I think our kids are relieved to know they will have a spring season and it will be with everyone involved."

More:How the MHSAA's looming decision on fall seasons could impact its sports calendar

For football players in the Lansing School District, Friday's decision also provides a little relief. Had a season taken place as scheduled this fall, it would have been without Eastern, Everett or Sexton after the Lansing School District canceled football and all other sports and extra-curricular activities for the fall last week.

With football moved, athletes in the district will now get a shot to play after fearing they would miss out

"We understand the precautions and the reasoning why behind the MHSAA making their decision as well as the Lansing School District," Everett coach Jaleel Canty said. "We were on board either way. We were going to adapt and move whichever way the cookie crumbled. Luckily, it seems like we'll have a chance to play in the spring. We're still looking forward to it."

The coaching staffs at East Lansing and DeWitt plan to meet with players Sunday as they ponder what's next and gear for a season they hope can take place in the spring. The MHSAA said more details about the spring will be revealed in the coming months.

"We'll just get ourselves ready to go again," Zimmerman said. "We were fortunate that we have great leadership on this team. We've already chatted a little bit this evening and their mentality is great. I have no question that these kids will rebound from this. They're going to work. They will be ready to go in the spring."

Contact Brian Calloway at bcalloway@lsj.com. Follow him on Twitter @brian_calloway.