Tonight’s high school varsity football game between Seaside and
North Salinas was rescheduled because of a potential threat of
violence at the game, Seaside police said.
Kickoff, originally scheduled for 7 p.m. at Seaside High School,
was moved to 4 p.m. The junior varsity game has been canceled.
MONTEREY
Tonight’s high school varsity football game between Seaside and North Salinas was rescheduled because of a potential threat of violence at the game, Seaside police said.
Kickoff, originally scheduled for 7 p.m. at Seaside High School, was moved to 4 p.m. The junior varsity game has been canceled.
Seaside Deputy Police Chief Judy Stradan said police received an anonymous phone call stating there might be violence at the game in retaliation for a shooting Sept. 15 in which a Salinas man was killed and another man wounded while in Seaside. Police have not made any arrests in connection with the shooting, nor have they said if it was gang-related.
“It is not uncommon for us to get these type of calls and they are usually rumors,” Stradan said.
School officials decided the game will be played during daylight hours and arranged for extra security and an increased police presence.
“Obviously, we err on the side of caution,” Stradan said. “We just want to play it safe.”
Seaside assistant football coach Matt Avila said the two schools were originally given three options from the police:
– Cancel the game.
– Play the game at 4 p.m.
– Play the game at 7 p.m. with no fans, just law enforcement personnel in attendance.
“It’s sad that it has come to this,” Avila said. “But safety is the more important thing.”
Seaside Principal Syd Renwick said both schools, after meeting with district officials, decided on the early time.
“Our decision was to allow the kids to play football and allow for the safety of our patrons so they could enjoy the game,” Renwick said.
North Salinas Athletic Director Jean Kinn Ashen said she has reassured parents that their children will be safe.
“I hope people don’t go into a panic,” she said.
Ashen said North Salinas High School officials didn’t have a problem with the time change and trust the leadership and decisions of Seaside’s administrators.
“We make accommodations for each other and other opponents at different times, for different reasons,” Ashen said.
Besides the usual one or two police officers, an additional four officers will be present at today’s game, Stradan said. School security guards will likely use hand-held metal detectors to search people entering the stadium.
“I think people will feel safe and be able to enjoy the game,” Stradan said.
Renwick and Ashen said they hope the security concerns won’t overshadow the athletic competition.
“We want to keep the focus on sports,” Renwick said.
Story by Daniel Lopez, The Monterey County Herald
Below is this week’s edition of the San Benito Score:
