Game Between Eastwood vs. Plano Reinstated at the Ford Center
There was an overwhelming response online following the cancellation of the Plano-Eastwood game, in which many criticized Plano ISD's decision to cancel the matchup set for Sept. 7, citing "safety" concerns.
There was talk about Garland Naaman Forest possibly swapping opponents (Arlington Lamar) in order to have Plano face Arlington Lamar while Naaman Forest would play Eastwood instead. The plans of Naman Forest—now coached by former Del Valle head coach Jesse Perales—swapping opponents did not come to fruition today.
Plano High School students and the football team even created an online petition to reinstate the game.
There was serious talk of Eastwood having to find another opponent for week two. That would have been an extremely difficult task for Troopers head coach Julio Lopez, with the season just two weeks away. Eastwood and YISD fielded calls for possible out of state opponents from California and Arizona, per Felix Chavez of the El Paso Times.
All the build-up over the last 24 hours led to some good news that broke late Friday afternoon. Not only would the matchup between Plano and Eastwood be reinstated, but the two teams will also get to play at the Ford Center, better known as the Dallas Cowboys World Headquarters and practice facility in Frisco, Texas. Dave Campbell's Texas Football's Matt Stepp first reported the news on Twitter.
The rescheduling of the game will move the matchup from Friday to Thursday, Sept. 5. This is a great opportunity for not just the programs and communities to experience a first-class facility that seats 12,000 fans, but it also gives both schools a chance to unite on something bigger than football.
Plano ISD announced yesterday that the matchup between the two schools has been canceled in order to "prioritize the safety of the participating players, students, families and communities." The decision came weeks after a former Plano student tragically killed 22 people at the Cielo Vista Wal-Mart on Aug. 3.
"After consulting with local law enforcement agencies, Plano ISD administrators felt obligated to prioritize the safety of the participating players, students, families and communities, and have concluded that the timing of the game falls too soon after the tragedy in El Paso," Plano ISD said in a release yesterday.
We will continue to update this story as more details are provided.