The UIL’s expected Monday announcement on any potential changes to the 2020-21 high school athletic schedule has been delayed, but the Brownwood Lions and Lady Lions continue preparations as if Aug. 3 is still the start date.

Brownwood Lions head football coach and athletic director Sammy Burnett on Monday offered his thoughts on what will eventually be coming from the UIL.

“We thought we may hear something today from the UIL, but as the UIL is you never what they’re going to do or when they’re going to do it,” Burnett said. “I did get some word Sunday evening there may be some hold off on that with coaching school going on, which is virtual right now for the next couple of days. It’s still fluid and a work in progress.

“I’m assuming, and this is no more than an assumption on my part, that we’ll hear something by Wednesday. This is just my opinion, but I think they’re going to bump back our season. They’re going to give us a date we can start and give us some guidelines on what we can do. I know there’s been a lot talk out there about bumping the start back after Labor Day in September, but that’s way over my head and none of my business.”

The state of California on Monday announced its high school sports will be delayed until the spring, but Burnett does expect a Texas high school football season will be played in some form or fashion in 2020.

“Will we go the fall without a football season? I doubt it highly,” Burnett said. “But I do think there’s going to be some modifications. But we’re going as if we’re starting on Aug. 3 and that’s what we’re going to do. If Aug. 3 comes and we’re starting then we’ll be prepared for that. If they say we’re going to start two or three weeks later, we’re going to see if they’ll let us continue to work out and then do that and modify our plan. We’re going to grind and do what we have to do so that when they say that it’s time we’ll be prepared for that.”

While the waiting and wondering lingers, strength and conditioning work, as well as some sport specific practices, are continuing with positive results, according to Burnett.

“We had a great morning,” Burnett said. “I told them when they got finish, the girls as well, that they’re just buying into the culture and what we’re trying to teach our kids, to work hard, do the work, embrace the grind and expect to be successful.

“It’s enjoyable as a coach because you’re not having to get after them and push them and force them. They just know that’s the lifestyle and how we’re going to do things. To see our numbers still really high, and our kids out there grinding is exciting for me as an athletic director because I know we can be successful in all sports, especially once you’ve developed that work ethic that it takes.”

Following two stellar seasons during Burnett’s tenure as athletic director in Brownwood, Burnett has established a new goal for the program going forward.

“I made a comment to our coaches that I want to be consistently in the Top 5 in the Lone Star Cup, which is a poll based on all the activities for the boys and girls throughout the whole school year,” Burnett said. “That’s a goal of mine as athletic director, for all sports to be successful, and I see the culture changing for that to happen.”