...Edison Seeks Ninth Straight Title
The Covid pandemic has added a new challenge to the Firelands Challenge Program this year. The start of the academic competition for area high schools was delayed due to health concerns. However, matches are scheduled to begin on Tuesday, January 12. The matches will be held at the Milestone Event Center in Norwalk.
Only three rounds of matches will be held this year. Prior years have seen six preliminary rounds before the Play-off match took place.
No audiences will be permitted at the matches. However, Buckeye Broadband will air delayed broadcasts of the matches. There will be a fee of $6.00 to view the matches. Information is available at:
https://bcsnnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/TICKETING-INFOGRAPHIC-WINTER-1.png
Several changes will be made in the format of the matches. Only two team members will participate at any one time in a match, but more frequent substitutions of team members will be permitted.
Team tables will have greater distances between them. Masks and other health safety precautions will be implemented.
In the past teams have had four members to confer on questions at their team tables. This year, with only two team members at opposite ends of the tables, discussing possible answers will be difficult. Teams were informed of these changes and have adopted various means of addressing the new match conditions.
Edison High School won its unprecedented eighth successive title last spring. Huron and Willard completed the three-team championship rounds. How these teams and the other participants will adjust to the new format remains to be seen.
Edison will compete in the opening match with Bellevue and Western Reserve. The second match on the first day will see Huron face Port Clinton and Norwalk. Willard will go up against St. Paul and St. Mary on Jan. 20.
The Firelands Challenge Program is supported by several area business and civic organizations. Major sponsors this year include: Buckeye Broadband (Sandusky) and R & D Equipment, Inc. (Norwalk). Other sponsors include: Firelands Regional Health System (Sandusky), Rotary Clubs of Milan, Norwalk, Sandusky and Willard, Mark Schaffer Excavating & Trucking, Inc. (Norwalk) and the Schlessman Seed Company of Milan. Milestone Event Center of Norwalk is hosting all of the matches. College scholarships are provided by BGSU Firelands.
