Football community deals with free night

In light of all county football games being postponed or canceled this weekend, we asked players, coaches and fans their thoughts on the decision and what they plan to do with an unusually free Friday night.

Feel free to weigh in by e-mailing us at preps@ocregister.comwith the subject titled: no games this weekend.

Check out the responses we received in calls and e-mails:

Jason Negro, Trabuco Hills, head coach

“Obviously, times like this, we’re going to have to make adjustments for the best interest of the kids.

“We practiced in the gym the entire week. As a league, we decided not to meet with our kids until Monday.

“I don’t know what our kids are doing, physically. They have a scouting report and DVD copies of our opponent. That hasn’t changed. The only thing that’s changed is not being able to be out on the field. That will probably affect our timing and rhythm, but if you ask our kids they’d rather play a game than not play at all.

“We’re (the coaching staff) going to go out and watch Charter Oak and Los Altos. They’re two quality teams we might see in the playoffs. So my Friday night is like a Thursday night where I go out scouting.”

Adrian Peters, Santa Margarita, Football Information Director

“Personally, we were kind of excited about playing Orange Lutheran. But the league as a whole, (to cancel the games) was the most responsible thing to do. Over by Santa Margarita High the air quality was miserable. It was unhealthy for the kids to be practicing. It was a complete lost week. It’s the right thing to do. I’m a little surprised some of the other teams are still going to play.

“There’s a lot of families concerned about their property. There’s a lot more important things in life than tying to mobilize a football team and prepare for a football game.

“One of the really interesting things is how are leagues going to handle the tiebreakers.

“I live in Coachella Valley, so I’m going to go see Palm Desert play. They got a couple games there. Fontana is playing in the Valley this week. They moved their game. Rim of the World moved their game. There’s a whole pack of games. The (schools) that have vacant stadiums are renting them out to teams that need stadiums. Every stadium is going to be packed tonight, so I’m going to take my son to see Palm Desert.

“It’s weird not having a Santa Margarita game to look forward to.”

Sean Kurtz, Canyon, linebacker

“It’s kind of a weird thought, playing on a Monday night. Actually, I was hoping to play, but we haven’t been able to practice. The most practice we’ve gotten is walk-throughs in the gym, which was Tuesday and Wednesday. I didn’t feel we were that prepared. I always like to go in having gone through everything. I just read through my scouting reports.

“(Over the weekend) I’ll be running and going to the gym a lot, to keep my muscles warm. I think my quarterback and I and a couple other wide receivers are going to run some routes at a park somewhere.

“(Tonight) I don’t even know what I’m going to do. I went home yesterday at 2 and was like, ‘What do I do? There’s nothing to do.’ I’ll probably just hang out with my friends, maybe see a movie.”

M. Lee, Trabuco Hills, fan

“(The) move is a good idea. I’m sure at some schools it’s necessary, given the air quality. Let’s keep everyone healthy.

“I have a 10-year-old daughter who needs a Halloween costume. Now I have no way to escape having to help her shop for one!”

Arturo Robledo, La Habra, fan

“I would like to see the game played. However, safety first. Two games in one week is a bit much. The Highlanders could take off two weeks and still be successful. This year’s team is about the best I have seen in years. They are an exciting group with much talent. Lots of weapons.

“I guess it’s Boise State versus Fresno State for me tonight.”

Brenda Kennedy, Lake Forest, fan

“I have twin boys that play football and they both have asthma. To be honest, my boys’ health comes first. That is what I am most concerned with.
 
“We will miss it this Friday Night, but instead we will spend a nice evening at home watching a movie.”

Mark Cunningham, University, head coach and athletic director

“It was the principal’s decision. I didn’t think it was going to go that way, but it did. Obviously, they had a lot of reason for doing what they did.

“There was so much chaos, there was no uniformity whatsoever. There was no practice. How could you play a game without any practices? We played a week ago Thursday. You’re talking about a lot of days with no practice. We want to make sure they’re safe. I don’t even know if were going to practice Monday.

“If we couldn’t have played Monday, and we had to play Tuesday or Wednesday, I would have forfeited the game. The idea is crazy. When you stop and look at it, people’s entire lives have been ruined. And we have people upset because we’re not playing a football game. There’s got to be some perspective.

“(Tonight) I’m going to do some wine tasting with my wife. We’re going to a place by the performing arts theatre. It’s gong to be great.”

Terry Henigan, Irvine, head coach and athletic director

“I thought the decision was the best decision for the Pacific Coast League. It’s been kind of weird, all week it’s been weird. You get in a routine as a player, as a coach, as a parent.”

“I’ll spend some time with my wife (tonight). I spent this afternoon babysitting my granddaughter. I’d rather be coaching football. That’s for the off-season. But I’m doing some other things I like to do.”

Juan Hernandez, Dana Hills, defensive coordinator

“I think it is foolish to play two football games in this amount of time at any level: high school, college or the NFL. I think that decision is based solely on playoff implications and is not in the best interest of the kids. I think that all leagues that are affected by the fires should cancel and play nine games. By Monday most teams will not have had a live practice other than their previous game for over 10 days. How can anyone be prepared to play? Following Monday’s game they will then have to prepare for JV/varsity games on Thursday and Friday. A lot of our sophomores and a few juniors suit up and play in both games. This would mean they would play three games in five days.

“We will begin to break down the following week’s game (Tesoro). We have had no contact with our players for two days and it will be four on Sunday. It is foolish to have to play a game on Monday with no time to prepare. I thought the Trinity League got it right.”

Kelly Boulger, Orange, fan

“I think it is unfortunate but necessary. I’m glad that all OC school games are canceled or postponed, as opposed to just some. That would create an unfair advantage in many cases. Ultimately, the health of the athletes should come first and missing a football game pales in comparison to those that have lost their homes or have been evacuated. If the games could be moved to a safer location, I would be all for it. But that is not really possible for most schools.
 
“Since I won't be going to a game, I will be forced to spend the time with my wife!! J/K.  We are going to make the best of it and enjoy our Friday night together.”

Contact the writer: amaya@ocregister.com