KELSEYVILLE — Poor air quality has once again forced the North Coast Section to reschedule three Division V football quarterfinal-round playoff games, including Cloverdale at Kelseyville.
Cloverdale at Kelseyville, St. Helena at Salesian and Stellar Prep at Berean Christian all were moved from Monday to Saturday because of smoke-choked skies throughout the North Coast and Bay Area, the result of the deadly Camp Fire in Butte County, a blaze that has burned more than 120,000 acres and killed 42 people.
All three of those quarterfinal-round games had already been rescheduled once before – Kelseyville was originally slated to play Cloverdale on Friday before the game was moved to Monday night.
“It’s just unfortunate but there’s nothing we can do,” Kelseyville head coach and athletic director Erick Larsen said of the postponements.
The top three seeds in the Division V field – Kelseyville, Salesian and Stellar Prep – all originally received first-round byes and have not taken the field since the weekend of Oct. 26-27.
“All three are at a serious disadvantage,” Larsen said of the long delay between games. “It’s frustrating for everyone but the kids are very frustrated because they just want to play. I feel bad for the kids.”
The air quality in Kelseyville early Monday was rated at 154 on the Air Quality Index, which is considered unhealthy.
“They don’t want us out there unless it’s under 151,” Larsen said. “We can be outside if it’s between 101-150 (unhealthy for sensitive individuals), but they don’t want us doing too much.”
Between 51-100 is considered moderate while anything below 51 is considered good.
Added Larsen, “The winds are projected to blow smoke our way the next 24 hours.”
Middletown’s scheduled night game in Fort Bragg on Monday was the only one of four NCS Division V quarterfinal-round games still on. The AQI in Fort Bragg early Monday afternoon was 51. If the Mustangs win to extend their season, they’ll be off next weekend when the other quarterfinal-round games finally take place.
Semifinal-round games are now tentatively pushed back to the weekend of Nov. 23-24.
Middletown head coach Bill Foltmer was preparing to leave for Fort Bragg on Monday and was happy to finally play after a scheduled Saturday meeting with the Timberwolves was postponed because of poor air quality on the Mendocino County coast.
“I want to play,” Foltmer said, “but you’ve got to caution on the side of safety.”
