LOCAL NEWS — In a move that’s been coming for week, Moore County High School Athletic Director Josh Deal announced on Monday that the school would be following the TSSAA attendance recommendations for all upcoming basketball games and wrestling matches effective immediately. This mean that only players and their immediate families (those that also live in the same household) may attend both home and away games. The TSSAA guidelines also prevents bands, pep bands, cheerleaders, and dance teams from attending athletic contests.

“We hate that it has come to this, but TSSAA is attempting to allow these kids to have a season,” Deal stated via the Moore County Athletics Facebook page.

The move is a trickle down from Governor Bill Lee’s Executive Order No. the 70 issued on December 20, which stated that due to a significant increase in the incidences of COVID-19 infections in Tennessee, the state would restrict who may attend interscholastic athletic practices and contest until January 19, 2021.

Moore County administrators told The Lynchburg Times that they understood fan frustration but they were simply enforcing the rules put in place on the state level.

“Many people have questions right now about athletics, Winterfest, beauty pageants, and other events that normally occur this time of year.  Unfortunately, we do not have answers at this time,” said Director of Schools Chad Moorehead. “Our main priority at this point is the health and well being of our students, staff, and community.  Please continue to be patient as we work to navigate this difficult situation.”

Raider fans can still watch events remotely thanks to the Moore County High School student broadcasting team. Locals can tune into the Moore County Sports Network broadcast through the NFHS Network. There is a subscription cost but fan can buy a one time game pass for $9 each – just a little more than a ticket to a home Raider game. Fifty percent of the virtual ticket price goes to the student broadcasting team.

Subscriptions also give locals access to other school’s live sporting events and previous Raider events through the On Demand feature, according to MCSN teacher sponsor Jonah Deal. Deal says that live streaming on Facebook or YouTube isn’t feasible because of the TSSAA licensing fees.

For more information about the student broadcasting team, visit www.mcraiders.net. To learn more about the NFHS Network, click here. •

{The Lynchburg Times is the only independently owned and operated newspaper in Lynchburg, Tennessee. We cover Metro Moore County government, Jack Daniel’s Distillery, Nearest Green Distillery, Tims Ford State Park, Motlow State Community College, Moore County High School, Moore County Middle School, Lynchburg Elementary, Raider Sports, plus regional and state news.}