UTICA, Mich. – After months of waiting and preparing for the season opener, the Utica High School football team’s first game was canceled after a player was exposed to the coronavirus (COVID-19) outside of school, officials said. Friday was supposed to be the season opener for the Utica Chieftains on their home turf. “We had high hopes this season was a go, and then a player got COVID-19,” quarterback Brett Berg said. It could happen to any player, person.”Since the team couldn’t practice, district officials had to cancel the season opener against L’anse Creuse North. That’s better than canceling the entire season.”Officials with the Michigan High School Athletic Association mandate 12 practices before the first game.