A decision by the Clay County Public Health director recommending that high school contact sports move to spring due to COVID-19 has left parents, players and coaches confused and upset about what happens next.Smithville, Kearney and Liberty school districts representatives all told KMBC Friday that fall sports and activities practices would continue until further notice, allowing district officials more time to consider health ramifications since the Clay County Public Health Center released a recommendation that Clay County schools should choose the Missouri State High School Activities Association's spring season for contact sports. MSHSAA's board of directors gave school districts the option Thursday of an alternative spring season."This thoughtful and responsible decision will give student athletes, spectators, parents and families the best chance to remain safe and enjoy a complete season," said a statement on the health center's Facebook page.But the health center's decision stopped short of a direct order, leaving it up to each school district to decide a way forward. Generally, school districts in Clay County have followed recommendations by the health center to this point of the COVID-19 pandemic. The spring recommendation for contact sports seems to have touched a nerve with parents, players and coaches who have conducted summer practices without many reports of outbreaks or infections.Liberty North's football team released a video on Twitter talking about the health and safety protocols they perform while standing up at the end of the video, saying, "please let us play."A districtwide email said fall practices for Liberty Schools would continue until further notice and the district would update the community when decisions are made."Please know that we understand the importance of extracurricular activities for our learners and the negative consequences that postponing some of these activities might bring," the Liberty School District's Office of Communications said an email Friday to parents. "We also must be committed to providing everyone with a safe and healthy environment for which to practice and compete in." Kearney head football coach Josh Gray on posted a Facebook video Friday showing how his football players are staying safe, including a new weight room setup in the school's gymnasium, along with using sanitizer."We're doing everything that we possibly can to make sure and ensure that we have a sports season this fall," Gray said in the video. "Please allow the kids to play."The Kearney School District has not made a decision about contact sports for fall. District officials released the following statement:"We appreciate the passion that our coaches have for supporting our students on and off the field. They have worked very hard this summer to keep students safe and healthy. KSD understands the importance of extracurricular activities for our students, and we want them to be able to play, if the recommendations are that it can be done safely. Kearney School District will continue to work closely with the health department to do what is in the best interests of the students."Smithville School District Superintendent Todd Schuetz told KMBC the district has not made any decisions regarding fall sports."While the safety of our student body is of the utmost importance, this environment is very concerning as sports and other cocurricular activities are very important in the development process of a young person," Schuetz said.KMBC is still waiting on responses from North Kansas City School District and Excelsior Springs School District.Meanwhile, more than 50 protesters showed up Friday at the Clay County Public Health Center after a petition started online when rumors began to swirl about sweeping changes to youth sports from county health officials. Health center officials quickly put out a statement, saying there is no health order to cancel or eliminate sports. Parents at the Health Department protest also questioned what constitutes a "contact" sport, and if the recommendation applies to youth leagues and club sports with contact, too."We believe that we know what's best for our kids," said Jeremy Brick, who brought his son Jay to the Health Department protest. "We know what's best for their mental and physical well-being. And they should allow us as parents to choose."Clay County Health Center spokeswoman Kelsey Neth said she did not have answers on if youth and club contact sports are included in the recommendation to move to spring, along with how to define a contact sport. KMBC is waiting on answers to those questions.If you have any concerns or insider information about decisions regarding schools and youth sports recommendations during the pandemic, email investigative reporter Matt Flener at investigates@kmbc.com.