The season-opening football game between host El Toro High and Troy joined the ranks of cancellations Friday afternoon, March 12, leaving the programs frustrated and seeking answers.
Troy coach Michael Echaves and El Toro coach Randall Reynoso both said their teams tested negative for the virus this week but Echaves said the Fullerton Joint Union High School District prevented the Warriors from playing Friday because of a COVID situation from their scrimmage against Westminster on March 6.
Echaves said Westminster had the COVID issue, which Troy’s football program learned about on Friday around 3 p.m., a few hours before their 7 p.m. game.
“Disappointed. Distraught. Frustrated. Shocked,” Echaves said of the cancellation.
Reynoso echoed Echaves’ feeling, and said he can’t understand how two programs that tested negative this week — El Toro and Troy – were cancelled but Westminster played on Friday, March 12. Westminster fell to Rancho Alamitos 28-7.
“We’re all kind of shocked,” Reynoso said. “We support any school district not wanting to put the kids at risk. I just believe this is not one of those scenarios.”
Reynoso said he would like an explanation from the Fullerton district. The Chargers’ first-year coach said he learned of the cancellation around 4 p.m. Friday. He later expressed concerned for the mental health of his players.
“It was a tough pill to swallow,” Reynoso said. “We at least want an explantion.”
Westminster principal Amy Sabol and Huntington Beach Union High School District athletic director Jim Perry didn’t respond to messages late Friday night.
Earlier Friday, the La Habra-Mission Viejo season opener was canceled because of positive COVID-19 tests in the Mission Viejo program. La Habra went on to play and triumph at Chaminade in the San Fernando Valley.
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