One day after being allowed to begin practicing for the end of the fall sports seasons, the brakes were abruptly applied Tuesday by the Whitmer Administration.

The Michigan High School Athletic Association had allowed football, volleyba;;, and swimming teams to begin practicing Monday after Whitmer and the Michigan Department of Human Services announced that those sports could resume.

This was based on athletes and coaches agreeing to take part in a pilot project that included rapid antigen COVID-19 testing.

But on Tuesday, the teams were told to stop practicing immediately because the testing hadn’t yet begun. The MHSAA had allowed practices to begin, and was planning to have member schools start the testing before actual games began after the new year.

Now, the MDHHS says the testing must begin BEFORE any activity can begin. Therefore, practices cannot be held until December 30 at the earliest, because the MDHHS won’t be providing the actual tests until December 28-29 at the earliest.

Football games scheduled for January 2 will now have to be rescheduled. Volleyball is scheduled to have quarterfinals begin on January 7, but that may also have those dates pushed back.

In Powers, the North Central Jets held their first football practice Monday in preparation for their state semifinal game against Marion. The boys were preparing for their Tuesday afternoon practice when they got the bad news that they were shut down again.

The following statement is from the MHSAA:

The Michigan High School Athletic Association has adjusted its schedule to conclude Fall tournaments in football, volleyball and girls swimming & diving today after receiving full details and requirements for the pilot rapid testing program being provided by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) as an opportunity for teams and individuals to conclude their seasons amid a pause due to COVID-19.

Due to requirements and need for more direction from MDHHS that will be forthcoming in the next week, the MHSAA has instructed schools still participating in those sports to suspend practice immediately. The MHSAA also is working to update dates of competition to better reflect the testing schedule. Taking part is the MDHHS testing pilot is a requirement for athletes to participate in the final competitions in these sports.

Fall teams taking part in the pilot program are expected to receive rapid-result antigen tests and more instruction by Tuesday, Dec. 29. The MDHHS on Dec. 28-29 will be conducting webinars to train school personnel who will be involved in the testing process. Once the first tests have been administered on Wednesday, Dec. 30, full team practices may commence. If schools are delayed in the start of testing, those schools may begin practice once individuals have had one negative test.

With teams restarting practice Dec. 30 at the earliest, competition dates also could be rescheduled. Confirmation of updated tournament dates will be announced soon on the MHSAA Website.