University’s final two spring varsity football games cancelled due to injuries

University takes the field for a game against Northwood. (File photo Mark Bausman, For OC Sports Zone)

University High’s varsity football team will not play any more spring games due to injuries, according to Trojans Coach Chris Hernandez.

‘It’s very disappointing,” Hernandez said Monday  “We are going to continue frosh/soph and finish the year with them.”

University was 0-2 in its two games and had to cancel last week’s game with Beckman. The University vs. Woodbridge game scheduled for Friday and the Friday, April 16 game with Irvine have been cancelled.

University becomes the second team from the Pacific Coast Conference to suspend its spring program. On Friday, Northwood Coach Michael Stewart said the Timberwolves were suspending their spring season due to injuries.

Both programs will return for the regular fall season.

Hernandez, the second-year University coach, indicated in a letter to families of the program that the focus will be on the fall football program. He said the time off from the coronavirus pandemic and the lack of preparation made it “impossible to continue.”

“As a program, we have spent the last week evaluating the varsity roster, discussing possible position changes, and working with our athletic trainer on player injuries. After careful consideration we have made the difficult decision to conclude the varsity season,” the letter read in part.

“Due to circumstances beyond our control, including injuries, lack of personnel, and a wide variety of issues that stemmed from the pandemic, we will not be able to safely field a varsity team.

“We are incredibly disappointed for many of our varsity players who have been committed since day one and have persisted through difficult circumstances. Our main priority is always player safety, and as the head coach in the program, I always want to be able to prepare the team to play the game safely, and we cannot do that going forward.

“Some of the moves we would have to make to play games the rest of season would put too many players at risk, and could lead to injuries that would normally be avoided in a regular season. We believe it is in the best interest of the health of the players and the program to begin focusing on the 2021-2022 season. Football is the ultimate team game, and it has never been more apparent in this season.

“We want to thank all of our seniors for dedication and perseverance. There were many who gave everything they have to ensure we played games this year and I will forever be grateful for them. My belief has always been in leading young men to be victorious in all aspects in life, and I am so proud of the players who have heard that message and have taken the steps to do just that. While they will not get to finish this year the way we want, we are confident that many of these young men will go on to be great future employees, great future husbands, and great future fathers.”

Hernandez added that the seniors will turn in their equipment this week and that juniors will begin weight room workouts on Wednesday.

“All sophomores will continue playing with the frosh/soph team in an effort to get them live game experience,” he said.

With the cancellations, Woodbridge, which cancelled its game with Irvine last week, could arrange a nonleague game this week. Athletic director Rick Gibson said no decision has been made on a new opponent.

Irvine could arrange a replacement game for the final week. The Vaqueros host Beckman Friday night at Irvine Stadium.

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