The Lodi Flames finally began their football season this week, losing to Edison on Monday night and dominating Chavez on Friday for their first win. Now, the Flames are unexpectedly searching for new opponents for the next two weeks.
Coach George Duenas told The Record that Lodi’s Week 3 opponent, Valley High School, and Week 4 opponent, Grant, have canceled their games against the Flames scheduled for the next two Fridays.
Duenas said Valley called off the game, scheduled for Sept. 10, due to low numbers, injuries and illnesses within the program. He did not specify if COVID-19 was a factor.
Football preview series: Get to know the 2021 Lodi Flames
The Flames were originally scheduled to play at Grant during Week 0. However, COVID-19 issues within Lodi’s program forced the game to be moved to Week 4 on Sept. 17, where both teams have a scheduled bye week. Duenas said Grant has decided to keep its bye week, rather than play the game, leaving a second consecutive open slot on Lodi’s roster.
The Flames have been one of the hardest-hit programs with scheduling changes this fall in San Joaquin County. After its Week 0 issues, Lodi’s Week 1 game against McNair was called off due to poor air quality from northern wildfires. The Flames then decided to play Monday night against Edison instead, where they lost 28-0.
Last Friday’s game against the Titans was the first on Lodi’s schedule that went off without a hitch. Now, the Flames are wondering when they will take the field again.
Record reporter Justin Frommer covers prep and college sports. He can be reached at jfrommer@recordnet.com or on Twitter @JustinbFrommer. Support local news, subscribe to The Stockton Record at recordnet.com/subscribenow.
