Yucca Valley High School football temporarily suspended due to positive COVID tests
The Morongo Unified School District has temporarily suspended the Yucca Valley High School football program following positive tests within the team.
The suspension includes all practices and events for the team.
A member of the coaching staff tested positive, as did a player tested positive before the team's first scrimmage on Friday, March 19, according to the district.
The players and staff who tested positive have been directed to self isolate at home. The district will also conduct contact tracing to identify anyone who was in close contact with the people who tested positive.
The district is also awaiting additional testing of all team members.
District officials said are hopeful that the team will be able to return to its regular schedule on March 29, pending remaining results from team members and staff.
Yucca Valley was originally set to kick-off their season this Friday against Desert Hot Springs High School. However, that falls out of the time period of when regular activities would be allowed to resume.
DHS is actively searching and working to find a replacement game.
"We just want to get a game out for our kids and really just give them the opportunity to play since their season was already cut short. We're talking a four game season, so we would hate to lose a lose and the very first game for us," said Kai Lyles, DHS athletic director.
Can confirm after @DesertSunSports first reported, Yucca Valley football has cancelled their game this week against Desert Hot Springs due to COVID-19. DHS AD Kai Lyles tells me his team is in "scramble mode to try and find a game for the kids." More on our website at @KESQ
— Blake Arthur (@BlakeArthur24) March 22, 2021
This is disappointing news but not all that shocking given that play continues during the ongoing pandemic.
"We know this year is a unique year with changes left and right because of COVID but our kids deserve the very best that they have, so hopefully we can find that team there for them," said Lyles.
Stay with News Channel 3 for continuing updates.
