For some, it’s the last chance
Bay Area seniors thankful for a spring football season
After months of wondering if they’d ever put on helmets and shoulder pads again, months of endless emotions about the fate of their season, high school football seniors across the Bay Area found normalcy this weekend.
They practiced in full pads, most for the first time in more than a year.
One week after Gov. Gavin Newsom eased COVID-19 guidelines for outdoor youth sports, clearing the way for high school football’s return throughout California, seniors were so fired up to get started that some strapped on pads at home the night before they hit the field.
“It’s long overdue,” said Jake Kern, the quarterback at Clayton Valley Charter High School in Concord.
The Bay Area News Group reached out to seniors who are preparing for a season that seemed unlikely to happen until Newsom’s announcement.
Here are their stories:
Lu-Magia Hearns, De La Salle
Lu-Magia Hearns didn’t have a sense of urgency about this football season. The De La Salle defensive back wanted to play but given that he signed in December to suit up for Cal next fall, he knew there was life on the field after he leaves the Concord powerhouse.
As the delay for a high school season continued, Hearns made the decision not to play this spring. He planned to show support by attending a few practices but thought it would be best to rest for college.
Then came Newsom’s green light, the start of practice and a conversation with De La Salle’s defensive coordinator.
Hearns changed his mind. “I can’t turn down football,” he said.
Hearns hadn’t put on pads since De La Salle lost to St. John Bosco in a state championship game 14 months ago.
On the eve of Friday’s first practice in full pads, he couldn’t wait a minute longer.
“I have been walking around the house in my pads already,” Hearns said Thursday night. “As soon as I got home, I put all my pads on.”
— Darren Sabedra
Jackson Bundy, Palo Alto
Conditioning drills at Palo Alto High were noticeably more upbeat Monday, senior lineman Jackson Bundy noted. It was the first time the Vikings had been together since receiving the news that they would be in pads by the end
of the week.
“It was kind of a shocker,” Bundy said. “Our (Feb. 19) practice was really relaxed, people were at other sports, it was in the morning, it was really short, we were just messing around. Then Monday came and everyone was serious, like everyone was there. It was a complete 180.”
Friday evening, the Vikings took the field for a full practice for the first time since November 2019. Bundy was limited with a torn labrum, but he was excited to get a taste of football after more than a year away.
He said he plans to give it a go this season, despite the injury. This might be his final year of competitive football, and he’s hoping to
soak in what remains of his senior season.
“This really could be my last chance to play football for the rest of my life,” Bundy said. “Losing that opportunity kind of hit me hard, and being given it back is just such a great feeling.”
— Evan Webeck
Christian Pedersen, Serra
Though he signed with Louisville in December, Serra tight end Christian Pedersen had no hesitation about playing with his high school teammates this spring.
“I was always going to play my senior year with my boys,” Pedersen said.
The only question: Would there be a season?
As his high school coach, Patrick Walsh, helped lead the campaign to convince Newsom to soften the coronavirus restrictions, Pedersen called on spirituality to get him through many months of waiting.
“I knew it was out of my control, so I just left it in God’s hands,” Pedersen said. “I said prayers every night.”
Serra will play five games this spring, against the West Catholic Athletic League’s three San Francisco schools, plus St. Francis and Valley Christian.
“Pumped up,” Pedersen said. “Can’t wait. Have some games we’ve got to win.”
— Darren Sabedra.