Section 1 of the New York State Public High School Athletic Association (NYSPHSAA) recently announced an altered format for the upcoming Fall sports postseason, with travel limits for all schools involved to avoid the spread of Covid-19.

In a normal year, playoffs are broken into classes AA, A, B, C, and D to compete for a section title based on the size of the high school, with the large schools like Mamaroneck and New Rochelle being class AA, and the smallest being class D. For the reformatting, however, groupings are going to be formed based on the school region and classification as a “large school” or a “small school.”

Pelham Memorial High School is one of the smaller schools now considered a big school and will thus face challenging opposition in the section playoffs.

Despite the increase in competition, theirs confidence on the soccer team.

“With bigger schools being in the new playoff bracket format with us, we know that we have to step up our game,” said Cole Keough, a Pelham Memorial High School senior and a captain for the boys soccer team. “Our intensity and mindset has to consistently be sharp at every practice and game in order for us to succeed.”

Playoff games for varsity boys soccer and field hockey begin on Nov. 16, while varsity girls soccer begins on Nov. 17 with the last day for postseason games being Nov. 25.