The Albany High School football team will be sitting on the sidelines until October 1.
The decision to postpone the season comes after not all student athletes have been fully vaccinated against covid-19 and the district has a high-risk vaccine policy.
District officials say this policy was put in place with guidance from the Albany County Department of Health and the New York State Department of Health.
District representatives add they’ve been monitoring the COVID-19 vaccine rates among student athletes weekly since august.
Seniors who are vaccinated on the team tell me hearing the news was heartbreaking but they won’t let it ruin their season.
Senior Supreme Fitzgerald tells CBS6 he’s eager to compete again, to show everyone what the Falcon’s can accomplish on the field.
“To show them what we really got, “ he says. “And to show them we should’ve had the opportunity from the beginning and it’s okay we’re here to work no matter what.”
Coaches with the team tell us they’ve had vaccinated students join the team who’ve never even played football before.
District leaders say if things go according to plan the football team will have five regular season games.