HOPE – Hope High School Bobcat Head Football Coach Phillip Turner knows the 2020 season which officially opens Friday night against Little Rock Hall in Little Rock will be unique; but, Turner remains positive for the Cats to play a complete season.

“We have a lot of potential,” he said after the varsity’s Aug. 18 scrimmage against Fouke. “We have a lot of good kids; and, they work hard.”

Turner said there has been marked improvement which he saw in the Fouke scrimmage, despite a lack of experience in some positions. Honing technique through experience is a key for the Cats, he said.

“Once we are there, I think everything else will take care of itself,” he said.

Turner is pleased the Arkansas Athletics Association has approved a full football season schedule.

“Hopefully, we will get to play our complete schedule,” he said.

He said some schools have already faced the need for make-up games because of COVID-19 issues.

Home game seating at Hammons Stadium beginning Sept. 4 against Nashville will be restricted to 66 percent of stadium capacity under AAA guidance, Turner said.

He said tickets sent to visiting teams will count toward the 66 percent capacity limit.

Home game seating reflecting the 66 percent capacity limit will be sold on a first come basis at the 18th Street box office at Hammons Stadium only beginning at 5:30 p.m. on game day. Tickets are $5 each, and AAA season passes will be recognized within the 66 percent capacity limit.

Contact Turner or Co-Athletic Director Susan Powers at 870-777-3451 for other information.

COVID-19 protocols will be in place, including:

--Required face masks.

--Alternate row seating.

--Families may sit together, but must observe social distancing.

--Fans will be allowed to stand along the field fence line, but must observe social distancing, whether seated or not.

“If you are not wearing a mask, and you are asked to put your face mask on, security and staff will ask you to leave if you do not comply,” Turner said.

The Bobcat varsity football schedule, as currently set, is as follows:

Sept. 4 – Nashville, Here, 7:30 p.m.

Sept. 11 – Ashdown, Here, 7:30 p.m.

Sept. 18 – Prescott, Away, 7 p.m.

Sept. 25 – DeQueen, Away, 7 p.m.

Oct. 2 – Hot Springs, HOMECOMING, 7 p.m.

Oct. 9 – Open date.

Oct. 16 – Lakeside, Here, 7 p.m.

Oct. 23 – Camden, Away, 7 p.m.

Oct. 30 – Texarkana, Here, 7 p.m.

Nov. 6 – Magnolia, Away, 7 p.m.