ELK GROVE, Calif. — There will be no varsity Friday night lights this season for two high schools in the Elk Grove Unified School District, but some students have found a second chance to play out their senior season.
Florin High School folded its varsity program, and is only fielding a JV squad. Meanwhile, Valley High School won't be fielding a varsity or JV team this season.
Valley High School made the decision after releasing its head football coach for a personnel matter after an investigation. Both schools also said they didn't have enough athletes to compete this year.
According to the school district, the low athlete turnout is a problem unique to those two schools. No other sport had a low turnout.
For some players, the prospect of missing out on their senior year was crushing. Now, senior Jeffrey Keo is gearing up for a season unlike any other in his high school career.
"Regardless of the situation, the end goal is the same. Got to stay steady. Got to stay focused," Keo said.
The cornerback and wing is trading his old uniform for the blue and gold of Elk Grove High School's Thundering Herd. He's one of about a half dozen players who went so far as to transfer schools — a Hail Mary to keep their football dreams alive.
"I had to leave my friends, my little brothers that go to Valley. I had to leave all that behind just to try to build a future for myself here at Elk Grove," Keo said.
The remaining Valley High players have entered Elk Grove Head Coach John Heffernan's world.
"I’m really glad that we, number one, had enough uniforms to go around," Heffernan said.
Heffernan said his heart went out to players at the two high schools.
"They’re losing out on lifelong memories if they don’t have a senior season and get to go out on Friday nights," he said.
Keo said the move to Elk Grove's team has been an easy adjustment.
"We came in the middle of their film study, and one of the first things that coach said that directly addressed us is, I don’t care where they come from, I don’t care how late it is, we’re going to welcome them with open arms like we would to each other, like they’re family," Keo said.
WATCH ALSO:
