Segerstrom varsity football team has first two games cancelled due to positive coronavirus test

Segerstrom was scheduled to open against Laguna Beach Thursday. File photo: Fernando M. Donado, For OC Sports Zone)

Segerstrom High School’s varsity football team will not open the season Thursday at home against Laguna Beach because of a positive coronavirus test among its varsity team, according to Jaguars’ Coach Joseph Tagaloa.

The Jaguars were scheduled to play the first of an abbreviated spring schedule on Thursday but the game has been cancelled. Segerstrom’s game with La Mirada, scheduled at home on Thursday, March 25, has also been cancelled, Tagaloa said.

Up until last week, water polo and football athletes had to do mandatory coronavirus tests. Tagaloa confirmed one of his players tested positive.

“We were trying to get cleared to play but our district is abiding by the 14 day quarantine rule, which puts us out of this week and next week unfortunately,” Tagaloa said. “At the end of the day, our main focus is the well-being of your student athletes. We would like to get back out there this week, but rules are in place and we must follow them.”

Fermin Leal, chief communications officer with Santa Ana Unified School District, said that the players who were in contact with the player who tested positive, are in quarantine for 14 days.

“One asymptomatic Segerstrom football player tested positive during routine athletic testing last week,” he said in a statement. “Following district, county and CIF protocols, other players who were in close contact have been put on a 14-day quarantine. The quarantine will prevent Segerstrom from fielding a team for this week’s competition, and from having enough practice time to prepare for competition for next week.”

La Mirada officials announced on Twitter that the team would be playing El Toro on Thursday, March 25.

Unless there are any further changes, this will leave the Jaguars with three games: Thursday, April 1 vs. Katella; Friday, April 9 at Garden Grove and Friday, April 16, vs. Marina at home.

—Tim Burt, OC Sports Zone; timburt@ocsportszone.com