After months of construction, Bradley field is set to be finished in mid-September despite fall athletics, especially football, already being in full swing.
Last season, football reached new heights following a 7-5 season record, placing them second in the El Camino League and qualifying them for the playoffs. Although the Wildcats lost in their second round playoff game against the Santa Teresa Saints, the team was able to host the game on their home field. Now, the Wildcats are without a turf field and their first “home game” was hosted against Overfelt at San Mateo High School on Friday, August 26.
Construction on the field, which is district funded, began two days after graduation in early June. The field’s warranty recently expired given its 15 year cycle. Since construction began, the football team has been holding their preseason practices on the baseball field.
“The [baseball] field itself is pretty unforgiving [since there’s] not a lot of give to it,” football coach Justin Andrews said. “We have to be very deliberate and careful with how we practice and tackle. Hitting the ground on the baseball field versus hitting the turf is completely different.”
For the football players, the transition has been difficult due to the uneven footing and how solid the ground is on the baseball field compared to the turf.
“It’s kind of hard to play on a dry field that is not really meant to be tackled on,” senior Sam Cowart said. “It is like tackling on concrete.”
The next home game at Woodside will be on October 4 against Santa Clara High School. By then, athletic director Timothy Faulkner predicts the field should be finished and ready to play on. However, many football players are still disheartened by the lack of a field.
“I think I can speak for all the football players [that] it is very annoying, especially for the seniors,” Cowart said. “It is kind of like we don’t really technically get [a first home game]. It is just frustrating.”
Ticket sales to the home game at San Mateo High School still went to Woodside. All tickets were processed through a Go Fan link per the same system as last season. Non-perishable concessions, such as chips, drinks and popcorn, were sold at the game. Due to the location being far away, some players predicted that not many Woodside students would show.
“It does kind of suck because there will be less people going [as] it’s not at Woodside,” sophomore James Yauch said. “At the same time, it is still a game and I guess all games are pretty fun.”
Besides football, the Bradley Field construction has influenced and changed many other aspects of the athletics department.
“I will say [the construction] is greatly affecting a lot of things here at Woodside,” Faulkner said. “Not only football, but it is affecting flag football, it is affecting cross country, it is affecting cheer and it is also affecting our entire PE department right now.”
Despite the changes, the football team has started out the season strong with a win against Overfelt High School 34-16. As the season progresses, Andrews maintains a positive attitude about the circumstances.
“We understand the situation and we just get out there and train and try to make the best of it,” Andrews said.
