Silverado cornerback Shyne Johnson carries the ball into the end zone after an interception at the end of the first half during a high school football game against Shadow Ridge at Silverado Friday, Aug. 27, 2021.
Published Friday, Aug. 27, 2021 | 4:40 p.m.
Updated 2 hours, 28 minutes ago
Five high school football games have been canceled this week throughout the Las Vegas area because of the coronavirus pandemic.
A fifth game, Bishop Gorman hosting Bishop Manogue of the Reno area, was shelved because of poor air quality in Northern Nevada from the California wildfires. Bishop Manogue couldn’t practice all week.
There have been 1,338 reported COVID-19 cases in the Clark County School District since July, including 755 students, according to CCSD data. About 100,000 children ages 12-17 are vaccinated statewide against the virus.
And when a positive test happens within a football program, players are put into quarantine to bring on cancellations.
The Del Sol-Desert Oasis game was the first this week to be called off. Then, it was Pahrump Valley at Rancho, and on Thursday Foothill at Desert Pines. A few hours before kickoff today, Coronado and Basic was the last cancellation.
Pahrump Valley also had its game canceled last week because of the pandemic.
Players and coaches are tested once weekly. CCSD officials said last week that there was no set standard on what has to occur for a game to be canceled or for a sports program to be paused out of virus concerns. Each situation is unique and examined separately with guidance from health officials.
There’s still about 10 games left on the schedule, including Shadow Ridge at Silverado in a battle of class 4A contenders. The reimagined classification, with Bishop Gorman and Liberty assigned to the new class 5A, has given many programs hope that they can have a championship season.
“If I am any coach for whatever team in the 4A, I have to think I can win the state championship,” Silverado coach Andy Ostolaza said earlier this month. “The reality is, for years now, a lot teams were going into the season without having those expectations. But every team in the 4A, I have to think their kids, their coach, their school, they think they can win it all.”
Tonight’s slate of games also includes noteworthy matchups in the class 5A, with Faith Lutheran playing at Arbor View in a contest of teams ranked in the preseason top-10. In another battle of teams ranked in the preseason, Canyon Springs travels to Liberty.
We’ll keep everyone posted as scores become final. Tag me on Twitter @raybrewer21 if you have a score to report, or use the #sunstandout hashtag.
