Aliso Niguel High School’s first home football game, set for Friday, Aug. 29, was cancelled, leaving many fans disappointed. The reason for this decision was the team’s lack of preparedness.
With no practices on Monday and Tuesday, the coaching staff felt the players were not ready to compete. Fortunately, El Toro High School offered to reschedule the game for Sept. 27, which was a great solution for both teams.
Mr. Mashburn, the athletic director at Aliso Niguel, commented, “We appreciate the understanding and cooperation from El Toro High School. Rescheduling the game allows our team to prepare adequately and put forth their best effort on the field.”
Finding a new date for the game can often be difficult, but teamwork between the two schools made the process smoother. El Toro had just played a game in Las Vegas and asked if they could move the game to Saturday. Aliso Niguel agreed, showing great sportsmanship from both sides.
Although the cancellation is disappointing, it provides an opportunity for better preparation. The extra time will allow the team to refine their skills and strategies, making them more prepared for future opponents. This extra practice is essential for improving teamwork and ensuring the players perform at their best.
Parents, students and fans need to understand why this change happened. The coaches explained that without practices earlier in the week, they didn’t feel comfortable putting the players in a game situation. They want to ensure that the athletes are well-prepared, which is more important than just winning.
Mr. Mashburn also says, “Our priority is the safety and readiness of our players. We believe that proper preparation leads to not only better performance but also a more enjoyable experience for everyone involved.”
The players are responding well to the situation. After their impressive 38-3 win against Beckman two weeks ago, the team is motivated and focused to continue their success. They see the rescheduling as a chance to improve even more and are eager to show what they can do when they’re fully prepared.
Logan Wegner (12), one of the players on the Varsity team, says, “We’ve been working hard in practice, and this extra time gives us the opportunity to better our skills and come back even stronger. We’re ready to show that our last win wasn’t just based on luck.”
Other school events and athletic schedules won’t be affected by this change. This means that students can still participate in a variety of sports and activities as planned, without any disruptions.
As the community looks forward, there’s a strong sense of excitement. The team can’t wait for the next nine weeks of football, particularly the four home games starting on Sept. 12th. Coaches and players hope to see all the fans at each game, both at home and away, supporting the team. The ongoing support from students, parents and fans is greatly appreciated by the program, and everyone values it.
