The Minnesota State High School League’s Board of Directors approved a reconsideration placement of fall activities earlier this week, a decision that brings football and volleyball back to the fall season.  

The plan, which fits within COVID-19 guidance of the Minnesota Department of Health, will have an approved football season beginning on September 28th with the first of six regular-season games scheduled for the week of October 5th.  The Big Southeast District, which includes the Austin Packers, has released their football schedule for the fall season, and the Packers will open with two road games, the first in Winona at Paul Giel Field versus the Winhawks on October 9th, and in Albert Lea versus the Tigers on October 16th, as Austin will get its first look at the refurbished Hammer Sports Complex.

Austin’s home opener will be played Saturday, October 24th versus the Byron Bears, and the Packers will be back at home on Friday, October 30th against the Faribault Falcons.  Week 5 will find Austin in Rochester taking on the John Marshall Rockets at John Drews Field on Friday, November 6th, and the Packers’ regular-season finale will be played on Wednesday, November 11th at home versus the Mankato East Cougars.  

In the framework that was adopted by the MSHSL Board of Directors, a planned two-week football postseason will begin the week of November 16th.  

The Big 9 Conference has yet to release its volleyball schedule.  Volleyball will begin an 11-week season on September 28th and school may play their first matches on October 8th.  In the framework that was approved by the MSHSL board, two weeks of postseason play would begin the week of November 30th.  Like football, member schools have had the option of participating in voluntary training sessions since September 14th.