Oakdale and Escalon football teams will not be in action this week, as the CIF Sac-Joaquin Section has postponed this Friday’s contests until next weekend due to poor air quality. Oakdale plays in Division 4 and was scheduled to travel to Rio Linda on Nov. 16; Escalon in Division 6 was slated to travel to Hilmar. Both were semifinal contests and are expected to be played on Friday, Nov. 23.
The following is the statement released by the CIF:
“The Sac-Joaquin Section, after constant contact with various air quality boards throughout the region, has determined some playoff changes must be made due to worsening air quality expected through the weekend.
FOOTBALL: All Sac-Joaquin Section playoff football games scheduled for this Friday and Saturday are POSTPONED one week. The games scheduled for this weekend will now be contested the weekend of Nov. 23 and 24. The championship breakfast (originally scheduled for all finalists on Monday, Nov. 19) is now Monday, Nov. 26 at Hutchins Street Square in Lodi at 10 a.m. The Division 1-3 championships will be Saturday, Dec. 1 at Sacramento State. The Division 4-6 championships will be held the weekend of Nov. 30-Dec. 1.
CROSS COUNTRY: We are hoping to have the Section cross country championships on SATURDAY, Nov. 17 at the Willow Hill course in Folsom. The air quality is forecast to be within decent ranges that morning, and we will have varsity-only races with combined divisions beginning at 9 a.m. The schedule is as follows:
9 a.m.: D1/2 boys
9:35 a.m.: D1/2 girls
10 a.m.: D3/4/5 boys
10:35 a.m.: D3/4/5 girls
If the AQI climbs above 150 (unhealthy range) before any races are run, we will not hold the races, instead using the times from our sub-section meet for teams to qualify for the state championships. If the AQI climbs above 150 during the races, all subsequent races will be called off and we will use sub-section times to qualify for the state championships.
All AQI forecasts for this weekend remain well into the red (unhealthy) and even into the purple (extremely unhealthy) ranges. This decision was made with the health of our student-athletes in mind. We understand this may cause some inconveniences and we appreciate your patience and understanding. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the people of the region impacted far more severely by the Camp Fire.”
