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NATCHEZ — Natchez Adams School District on Tuesday canceled all athletic practices for the next two weeks due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Alphaka Moore, Natchez Adams School District director of athletics, announced the decision to cancel all athletic practices in a letter addressed to families in the NASD.

“We’ve been monitoring the rise of COVID-19 cases in the state as well as in Adams County,” Moore said. “There has been significant amount of cases in areas where many of our students live such as LaGrange, Broadmoor and Morgantown neighborhoods. We knew we needed to pause workouts to prevent anything because we know there is a possibility that some of our students may be exposed to a positive case outside of practice.”

During the two weeks, Moore said they would continue to monitor the number of COVID-19 cases in Adams County and get more direction from the Mississippi High School Activities Association in regards to practicing again.

Natchez High School returned to the football field on June 30 after taking a week off due to concerns over the coronavirus outbreak in Adams County.

Adams County Christian School Rebels and Cathedral High School Green Wave practiced this week after the Fourth of July break.

Both the Rebels and the Green Wave began practices on Tuesday.

Matthew Freeman is the wide receivers and quarterbacks coach for ACCS. Freeman said he hoped the players enjoyed their break and hopes they are eager to practice once again.

Freeman said at the practice on Tuesday, he was in charge of checking the players’ temperatures due to the COVID-19 pandemic before they began practice. Freeman said if a player’s temperature is above 99.9 degrees Fahrenheit then the player is sent home.

At practices this week, Freeman said the Rebels would focus on individual drills and techniques to sharpen their skills.

“When we are able to do more team-oriented stuff, the players will be ready to go due to focusing on the drills and techniques,” Freeman said.

The Rebels will travel to Oak Forest Academy for the first football game of the 2020 Midsouth Association of Independent Schools season at 7 p.m. Aug. 21.

Meanwhile, the Green Wave will travel to Wayne Academy at 7 p.m. Aug. 14.