Ferris football game canceled; others in the smoke-filled air

High school officials continued to take a wait-and-see approach regarding scheduled Friday football games and the poor air quality due to wildfires throughout the area.

One game was scrapped for Thursday. Ralston Valley of Arvada, Colorado, was scheduled to play Ferris on Friday at Albi Stadium. With the smoke still hanging over the region like a blanket and forecasts being what they are – guesses at best – Ralston Valley decided to cancel its trip, Greater Spokane League secretary Herb Rotchford said.

If air quality doesn’t improve to 150 or better, then the other game scheduled at Albi – Lakeside vs. Shadle Park – will be canceled as well and not made up, Rotchford said.

Other games involving GSL and Inland Empire League schools still have a chance to be played. Mead at Coeur d’Alene, Central Valley at Lake City, Mt. Spokane at Sandpoint and Post Falls at University could be pushed back to Saturday. (In an out-of-the-area game Friday, Lewis and Clark visits Kamiakin.) Mead and CdA officials also have talked about playing as late as Monday if needed.

Rotchford said he believes most schools will make decisions regarding games by noon on Friday.