The PIAA got it right.

At least for now.

The state’s governing body for high school athletics voted overwhelmingly Wednesday to begin the fall sports season on time amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

That ruling is subject to review, of course. It could be overturned by the governor at any time.

It could be adjusted by the PIAA itself, should circumstances change.

These sports — football, soccer, volleyball, etc. — will take on a different look, regardless. It’s likely no fans will be permitted in the stands. It’s not even certain media will be allowed in to cover the events.

But the events should go on.

They are part of the educational experience. As long as safety measures are in place — and it appears that they are — let them play.

So much attention has been paid to the return of Major League Baseball, the NBA and NHL. But get these numbers, courtesy of Dr. Karissa L. Niehoff, executive director of the National Federation of State High School Associations.

Eight million students nationwide participate in sports. There are 500,000 coaches and officials and more than 300 million fans attend the games.

High school sports are a way of life in this country.

Dr. Niehoff pointed out in a recently released statement that “decisions surrounding a safe return of scholastic sports and activities affect more people than all other levels of sport combined.”

Butler High School football coach Eric Christy said the return of high school sports will provide the outlet they have in the past.

“Parents have been frustrated, there’s been all the turmoil with politics, etc.” Christy said. “Put a helmet on and let’s play some football. I know the kids are looking forward to it.”

Is it a stretch to say the kids need it?

Probably.

But it’s not a stretch to say the kids will benefit by its return.

“You go back to the spring, these kids were cooped up for all that time,” Mars athletic director and football coach Scott Heinauer said. “That took its toll.”

Sports, being out on the field, is a release. To knock out consecutive high school sports seasons would be rough.

“This virus isn’t going away,” Heinauer said. “We need to adjust and adapt. Find a way to give our kids interaction with each other. We need sports. We need education in the classroom setting.

“Being part of a team and all that comes with it, you can’t replace that.”

If people can’t go watch the games, so be it.

If media can’t cover the games — though I’ll be shocked if it gets to that point — so be it.

Let the kids play the games. Stream the action, film it for later viewing, whatever.

The coronavirus has taken enough from us already.

It’s time to fight back.

John Enrietto is sports editor of the Butler Eagle