Two season-opening football games in the Bay Area were stopped Friday night because of fights among spectators.
Host Piedmont Hills was leading Willow Glen 10-0 at halftime in San Jose when the game was called because a first-quarter fight in the bleachers had spilled outside the stadium at halftime. No decision has been made on whether the game will be continued. Both San Jose schools have bye weeks during the first weekend of October.
In the other game interrupted by spectator fights Friday, visiting College Park was leading Fremont-Oakland 14-0 in the second quarter when the game was stopped. Fremont coach Lloyd Johnson said that score would stand.
“It was a safety situation,” Johnson said.
Longtime Piedmont Hills coach Matt Kiesle said his team was still in the locker room at halftime when the game was called. Willow Glen had already returned to the field for the second half.
“In the first quarter, there was a scuffle in the stands,” Kiesle said. “The scuffle turned into something outside the stadium. There was some concern there were weapons. No shots were fired.”
Kiesle said no decision has been made about whether the game will be continued.
“I don’t know what we’re going to do,” the Piedmont Hills coach said. “We have a similar bye, but I don’t know if we’ll try to play later.”
Willow Glen coach Oscar Caballero did not return a late call.
A huge crowd was in attendance at Piedmont Hills, Kiesle said.
“It’s disappointing,” he said about what happened. “We had a good lead.”
Kiesle said Willow Glen was also playing well.
Both teams are in the Blossom Valley Athletic League. Willow Glen plays in the Santa Teresa Valley Division and Piedmont Hills in the Santa Teresa Foothill. Kiesle said a decision on whether to continue the game could come from the league office.
