Homecoming

High school football, cheer return to California

ORANGE, Calif. — Anna Smith arrived at Fred Kelly Stadium in Southern California on a recent Friday evening with a cardboard cutout of her brother the size of a semitruck tire.

Moments later, more spectators gathered on the school stadium’s bleachers, some wearing face masks with their favorite players’ jersey numbers embroidered on them.

For El Modena High School, Friday night football is back — albeit now in the spring instead of the normal time in the fall.

The team recently played its second football game of the season as more California counties ease coronavirus restrictions and life in the nation’s most populous state inches back to normalcy.

Across the U.S., fits and starts have bedeviled youth sports for the past year since the pandemic first closed schools and altered how parents, coaches and officials approach the extracurricular activities so fundamental to students’ lives.

Rules surrounding youth sports have varied from state to state — and sport — keeping athletes and coaches often at the edge of their seats for months.

In California, players on football teams that have returned to play must follow restrictions that public health experts say are needed to keep youth athletes safe as overall coronavirus rates in the state fall.

During that second game day, coaches and parents at El Modena said they were relieved, and players were overjoyed to be back on the field. Michael Casares, a school guard, screamed every time the team gained yards. Coaches got loud too — though sometimes to remind kids to spread out along the sidelines.

“This last year has been different obviously with the pandemic. It’s been up and down for the kids. We tried to keep things as normal as possible,” said head coach Matt Mitchell.

This season isn’t without changes to the normal football routines. The school gets to play six games — four fewer than the pre-pandemic season. Gym equipment has been moved to an outdoor racquetball court. Players can’t enter the locker room. And no team meals before the game, either.

With no access to indoor facilities, during that recent game athletes rested during halftime on the concrete floor. But tight end Tom Leonard said he and his teammates didn’t mind the inconvenience.

“A lot of us didn’t think that we would get here, so it feels awesome just to have a chance to play, even only six games,” said Leonard.

“A lot of us didn’t think that we would get here, so it feels awesome just to have a chance to play, even only six games.” — Tom Leonard, El Modena High School tight end

El Modena players attempt to defend a field goal.

(AP/Jae C. Hong) El Modena center Jack Stein applies black stripes before the team’s football game with El Dorado in Orange, Calif.

El Modena High School cheerleaders wear face masks as they watch the game.

El Modena players stretch at a school gym temporarily set up at outdoor racquetball courts before the game.

El Modena guard Michael Casares cheers on his teammates during the game.

(AP/Jae C. Hong) Dusk settles as two spectators watch a football game between El Modena and El Dorado in Orange, Calif.

El Modena head coach Matt Mitchell (center) adjusts his face covering while addressing his players after the football game.

Jackson Keays (center) carries the ball against El Dorado.

El Modena tight end Owen Mull hangs his mask on a weight bar while working out at a school gym temporarily set up at outdoor racquetball courts before the game.

El Modena players hold hands as they walk into a stadium for the team’s game with El Dorado.

El Modena tight end Tom Leonard (center) and teammates put on their gear outdoors due to covid-19 restrictions.

El Modena payers run a drill before the game.

El Modena cheerleaders Destinee Cerda (right) and Soraya Granados chat with their mothers over a fence to encourage social distancing during the game.

Anna Smith (center left) tries to spot her brother, an El Modena running back, while holding a cutout of him before the game. “I love coming to watch my brother play,” Smith said. “He’s been working hard like everybody else. He’s been really excited to finally get out and play.”

El Modena quarterback Jackson Keays (right) is congratulated by his father, Joe, after the team’s 42-20 win against El Dorado. “We had to keep staying positive and keep believing there is going to be an opportunity to have a football season,” Joe Keays said. “Thank God it came through.”

El Modena players react to a touchdown scored against El Dorado.