Phoenixville postpones opener vs Great Valley, reschedules Bishop Shanahan game

The Phoenixville football team’s season opener against Great Valley on Friday, Aug. 27 has been called off due to COVID-19 contact tracing in the Phantoms’ program.

“We are disappointed that we will not be opening our season this Friday,” read a statement on the Phoenixville Athletics twitter account.

“At this time no players have tested positive for the virus. However, out of an abundance of caution and per the Chester County Department of Health Guidance, we will now pause all team activities.”

According to Phoenixville athletic director Don Grinstead, the Phoenixville program will shut down for 10 days according the Chester County guidance and is eligible to return Sept. 1.

Due to the mandatory three days practice before returning to competition, Phoenixville moved its Friday, Sept. 3, game against Bishop Shanahan to Saturday, Sept. 4 at 1 p.m.

Grinstead expressed openness to trying to reschedule the Great Valley game at the end of the currently-scheduled 10-week season.

“The health and safety of our student-athletes, coaches, and staff will always be our number one priority,” Grinstead said.

Great Valley sought a replacement game for Friday in light of Phoenixville’s absence.

Based on Monday’s news, Phoenixville will now open the season on Sept. 10 at Upper Moreland.

Phoenixville-Great Valley was not the only game postponed in the region Monday. Schuylkill Valley’s football season opener Friday at Annville-Cleona was postponed because of COVID-related issues around the A-C program. ELCO and Susquenita also postponed Friday’s opener for the same reason.