LEXINGTON, Ky. (LEX 18) — Playing under the lights for the first time this season, the Frederick Douglass-North Hardin matchup offered fans a glimpse of what the high school football experience will look like during the pandemic.
"With this happening tonight, things are kinda getting back towards being normal," said Eddie Smith, whose nephew, Caden Johnson, plays football for Frederick Douglass.
The game was not open to the public, but limited attendance was allowed. Per the Fayette County Public Schools' guidelines for Fall sports, four to five previously identified members of each athlete's family are allowed to attend games.
"He wants the family to come out," Smith said. "It's not as packed as it normally is, but just to see family and friends watch him play, it means a lot to him."
The other FCPS guidelines include temperature and health screening requirements. Those waiting to enter the stadium Friday night wore masks, as athletic officials took their temperatures.
Physical distancing markers and areas for temperature checks were written in chalk along the sidewalk outside the stadium, as family members of opposing teams lined up on different sides.
Once inside the stadium, family units were required to adhere to assigned seating, at least six feet apart from other families.
