Ray Hamill/HumboldtSports.com – Fans social distancing at last weekend’s scrimmage at McKinleyville High.

By Ray Hamill — State officials announced on Friday morning that cheer squads will be permitted at games after all, reversing a controversial decision from earlier in the week.

The H-DNL also announced on Friday morning that local health officials are allowing two spectators per athlete and cheerleader at each game, instead of the one that California health officials have called for.

The news broke earlier in the week that cheer squads, which were classified as a support group rather than a recreational sport, would not be allowed to perform on the sidelines for the upcoming games.

The decision was heavily criticized, especially in light of the fact the cheer squads have been practicing for the past three weeks under the assumption they would be allowed to perform.

According to a report in the San Jose Mercury News, sideline cheer will now officially be reclassified from a support group to a recreational sport, similar to competitive cheer.

That means the local cheer squads will now be permitted to attend the three H-DNL football games scheduled for this weekend.

This afternoon, St. Bernard’s hosts Ferndale at 3, while Fortuna travels to McKinleyville tonight.

On Saturday night, Eureka plays Arcata at Fortuna.

There will be a separate entrance for each school’s spectators, and each school will have a list of the household members for each participant.

JV cheerleaders and JV household members will be restricted to attending the JV game only.

At the conclusion of the JV game all spectators and cheerleaders will exit the playing area and then varsity cheerleaders and spectators will be allowed enter.