First home game canceled: students react

Written by: Abigail Miller

Interviews conducted by: Abigail Miller, Isabella Valero, Jalen Bullock, Nick Schonken, Brooke Logan, John Ramirez and Ciera Sesock

After a week-long anticipation for the first Ranger football home game, an unexpected notice was sent out today at 12:00 pm that the game has been postponed until September 24th.

Students on the team tested positive for COVID-19.

Varsity left guard Roan Morgan, ‘22 says “We were all pumped…but now we are going to have to wait a month for one of the hardest teams all season.”

Varsity right tackle Hunter Adney, ‘22 says, “I think everyone is a little down because I think everyone was really looking forward to this game. It was going to be the first home game for 2 years now, and it seemed like it was going to be big, especially after Redwood said everyone could” attend the game.

One take-away Adney has gotten from this experience is if someone is “sick, it doesn’t matter if you have something covid related, a cold, or the flu, just stay home… even if it’s slight. Other than staying home, there’s nothing [we] could have done” to have prohibited the game cancellation.

Varsity left tackle Oscar Anaya ’23, says “It was our first home game since 2019, this was something all of us were looking forward to.”

Following current protocol and abiding by contact tracing guidelines, members of the varsity and JV teams will be quarantined at home for two weeks. This prohibits practice, games, and attending in-person school.

“I feel like we could have done more to stay healthy” Anaya says. “Could’ve stayed [farther] apart. Stayed home more instead of going out. Either way, what’s done is done, and we just need to focus on what comes next.”

Rally club, a group of students on campus who do the majority of the poster making work for the football games and rallies has also been affected by the cancellation.

Raja Shouman ’22, a Rally Club member, says that “It sucks.” She adds that “it feels like we did all this work and sweated just for no one to see it.” She adds that “We don’t even know if we will have football games anymore.”

Savannah Torres’ 23, Rally Club President, says that “It is very unfortunate that it was canceled”, she adds that “It is a shame kids will not be able to show their work.” Torres says that “I wish they wouldn’t have told us last minute.”

Cheerleaders, Carly Jenson ’23 and Gabriella Valero ’23 are disappointed that they will not be preforming tonight.

Jenson says “We put so much time and effort into the late nights of practicing” however, “it is important to take these precautions to make sure everyone is safe and healthy. Covid needs to be taken seriously, and I’m glad they are taking the precautions that are needed.”

Valero says “We’ve been working so hard, trying to get a halftime show ready. So getting that notification during passing period was a big let-down. As long as it’s for the safety of our school and students we understand, just disappointed.”

Dance Force members Marileigh Coon ’25 and Emerson Pressley ’22 have had to call off their team’s halftime show routine due to the football game cancellation.

Coon says “It was really upsetting to hear, especially since we were really close to getting to dance, we have been practicing a lot for it so it was really shocking and sad.”

Pressley adds “I was really excited to dance at the football game and have been looking forward to it for so long.”

Band member Raul Arredowndo ’23 would have been playing in the stands tonight. “Having the game canceled doesn’t mean anything, band wise, it’s just one game. We’ve had a whole 18 months without band, and obviously a football game at Redwood. So, I’m willing to wait another week and see what happens.”