California high school sports to start no earlier than December

California’s governing body for high school sports said Monday the 2020-21 seasons will begin no earlier than December.

The California Interscholastic Federation said the normal fall, winter and spring sports seasons will be condensed into two seasons.

The federation set time frames for most playoffs and championships. Football will complete its playoffs and championships by mid-April. Actual regular season and playoff schedules will be set separately.

Decisions by state and local health authorities will determine whether games are played.

California is seeing soaring rates of coronavirus cases, hospitalizations and deaths.

Gov. Gavin Newsom issued strict guidelines that will require most of California’s 6.7 million K-12 students to at least start the coming school year with online classes.