Two Bay Area high school football games stopped because of spectator violence

Season openers at Piedmont Hills in San Jose and Fremont-Oakland end prematurely

Two season-opening football games in the Bay Area were called off Friday night due to fights between fans.

In San Jose, host Piedmont Hills led Willow Glen 10-0 at halftime before the game was called due to a first-quarter brawl in the bleachers that spilled outside the stadium at halftime. There has been no decision on whether the game will be continued. The first weekend of October is a bye week for both San Jose schools.

In the other game called off due to spectator brawls on Friday, visiting College Park was leading Fremont-Oakland 14-0 in the second quarter when it was called off. Coach Lloyd Johnson of Fremont stated that the score would stand.

“It was a safety situation,” said Johnson.

Matt Kiesle, longtime Piedmont Hills coach, said his team was still in the locker room at halftime when the game was called. Willow Glen had already resumed play for the second half.

“In the first quarter, there was a scuffle in the stands,” Kiesle explained. “The scuffle spilled over outside the stadium. There was some concern that weapons were present. There were no shots fired.”

Kiesle stated that no decision has been made regarding the continuation of the game.

“I don’t know what we’re going to do,” Piedmont Hills’ coach admitted. “We have a similar bye, but I don’t know if we’ll try to play later.”

Oscar Caballero, the coach of Willow Glen, did not return a late call.

According to Kiesle, there was a large crowd at Piedmont Hills.

“It’s disappointing,” he said of what had occurred. “We had a good lead.”

Willow Glen, according to Kiesle, is also performing well.

The Blossom Valley Athletic League is home to both teams. Willow Glen competes in the Santa Teresa Valley Division, while Piedmont Hills competes in the Santa Teresa Foothill Division. Kiesle stated that the decision to continue the game could be made by the league office.