Two more cancellations idle Vaqueros

Robert Perea, The Fernley Reporter

For the second consecutive week, two canceled games have left the Fernley Vaqueros on the sidelines, still waiting to open their season.

The Vaqueros were originally scheduled to play Friday night at South Tahoe, but earlier this week, when the Caldor Fire approached Myers, Calif., South Tahoe officials contacted Fernley and said they would be forced to cancel the game.

Fernley coach Chris Ward then found out that Carson was looking to add a game, so he and Carson coach Blair Roman hastily scheduled a varsity only game in Carson Friday evening. But because of unhealthy air due to the fires in California, the teams then switched the game to Saturday morning in Fernley. But Friday evening, Roman informed Ward that Carson would be unable to play.

That makes four canceled games in two weeks for the Vaqueros – their scheduled opener at North Valleys last week, then a game against Reed that was scheduled after Reed’s game that week was also canceled, with the two this week.

The Vaqueros JV team was able to add a game to the scheduled and faced the Spring Creek JV Saturday morning.

But the varsity Vaqueros now hope they can open the season next Friday, when they are scheduled to host Bishop (Calif.) Union. Ward said he will be in contact with coaches from Bishop throughout next week to monitor the likelihood of that game being played.

“It’s been a mess,” Ward said. “I don’t even know how good we are. We need a game gauge that.”

Although last fall’s season being delayed until spring, Ward said gearing up to play in two consecutive week, only to have the games called off, is a first in his coaching career.

“In 32 years, this is the first time I’ve ever seen anything like this,” he said.