When it comes to the affects COVID-19 may have on the upcoming high school fall sports season, Seneca Valley athletic director Heather Lewis put it best.

“Four months ago, I never would have guessed we'd have no spring sports and that schools would be shut down, that there would be no Major League Baseball or any pro sports going on. Yet that all happened,” she said.

“I'm not going to begin to guess what things will look like four months from now. Nobody knows.”

She's right.

Nobody knows.

With no vaccine yet in place for the coronavirus, all bets are off.

Could we really have Friday nights in September and October without high school stadium lights on, bands playing, students and adults alike proudly displaying their school's name and colors in the stands?

Can't say such a scenario is probable.

But it's certainly possible.

This is 2020, after all, the year that's only halfway through, the year most of us can't wait to say goodbye to.

Until the state government lifts restrictions on mass gatherings, spectators will not be permitted to attend Butler High School sporting events.

High school open gyms are getting under way. Butler started its summer workouts for numerous sports under numerous safety restrictions in the past few days. Other school districts are doing the same.

Official summer football camps are expected to start on time. Youth football signups have taken place. We appear to be on target — for now.

Seniors lost out on their final spring sports seasons. It's hard to imagine members of the 2021 graduating class missing out on their final high school football season.

Around here, we have numerous standout high school soccer and volleyball teams. Seniors on those teams likely have visions of winning district championships and taking runs at state titles.

Student-athletes in all of these sports will be looking to realize potential for college scholarships.

What will the “new normal” look like in the fall?

Hopefully, our high school athletes will no longer have to sacrifice playing the game they love with teammates they've grown up with in sports.

Hopefully, our communities will have a chance to be a community again. Parents, extended family and friends can get out on Friday nights and watch their loved one perform in a helmet and shoulder pads, or march across the field playing their trumpet, the drums or whatever instrument of choice.

Let's face it.

All we want is true normalcy.

That same normalcy we've taken for granted throughout our lifetimes, we dream about now.

No masks.

No social distancing.

Sitting down in front of the TV at night and flipping on a ballgame — a live ballgame.

We'll be waiting for you, high school football.

Here's hoping you show up.

John Enrietto is sports editor of the Butler Eagle