McClymonds, San Leandro will not play football game, coach says
Originally scheduled game was called off because of a threat, then reinstated by San Leandro district.
After all that — game on, game off, game on — here is the latest on the McClymonds, San Leandro football saga:
“No game,” McClymonds coach Michael Peters wrote in a text Monday morning.
Peters added, “I hope we get the forfeit (win).”
The San Leandro Unified School District announced Thursday afternoon that the game between undefeated McClymonds and San Leandro, scheduled for Friday night at Burrell Field, had been called off because of a threat.
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Hours later, the district announced that, after talks between the superintendents and law enforcement, the matchup was reinstated. The district added that the schools and coaches were working out the details, and the location, time and site of the game would not be made public because of safety concerns.
Turns out, that was news to Peters.
Reached Thursday night, he said he hadn’t heard anything.
“We’ve been going it’s a game, not a game, it’s a game, not a game,” Peters said. “Our kids haven’t practiced in two days. It’s not no upbeat for me. We should have played the game as scheduled. We wouldn’t be going through all these problems.
“You can’t be scared to play a game. How many rumors and threats we have heard, to take it this far. Shouldn’t have taken it this far. I don’t even know what they heard. It didn’t have nothing to do with the two schools. We should have just played the game at the regularly scheduled time.”
Earlier Thursday, the district stated on the San Leandro school website why the originally scheduled game was canceled.
“School officials were contacted by the San Leandro Police Department who, working in conjunction with the Oakland Police Department, have been investigating a threat, which appears to be related to a conflict between individuals outside of both school communities,” the school posted.
“Administrators from both schools have decided to cancel the game out of an abundance of caution. Oakland Police and San Leandro Police departments are continuing to investigate the source of the threat and will update both schools as more information is obtained.”
Asked when he would find out if the game will count as a forfeit win for his team, Peters wrote Monday, “Hopefully today or later on.”
McClymonds (4-0), ranked fifth by this news organization, has this weekend off, then opens Oakland Athletic League play Oct. 11 at home against Skyline.
San Leandro (2-2) is scheduled to play its West Alameda County Conference Foothill League opener Friday at Burrell Field against Piedmont.