It is still unknown if high school sports will take place this year or not. With the fall sports schedule already pushed to the winter, Oakdale High School and surrounding areas are still waiting to see what the future holds. And with Stanislaus County being dropped back to the more restrictive purple tier along with multiple counties across the state, the winter season appears to be even more in jeopardy.
However, the Mustangs program has winter schedules prepared in case of play this school year, though the ongoing pandemic could abruptly put a halt to any and all activity.
Football is scheduled to begin formal practices beginning Dec. 7. On New Year’s Day the team is scheduled to host a scrimmage against Tracy with freshman and junior varsity taking the field at 5 p.m., and the varsity at 7 p.m.
Girls water polo is scheduled to return on Jan. 6 at Sonora with a 3:30 p.m. start time. Their home opener is scheduled for the following day against Gregori at 3 p.m. Megan Richey is the head coach of the varsity girls team. Garrett Richey will be the coach of the freshman and sophomore girls team.
Volleyball is scheduled to return on Dec. 23 at Hughson for a tournament. Valley Oak League action is scheduled to begin on Jan. 4 at home against Kimball. Freshmen take the court at 4 p.m., followed by the junior varsity at 5 p.m. and the varsity at 6 p.m.
Those are the only sports included in the ‘winter’ season while the ‘spring’ or ‘second’ season will feature multiple sports from basketball to soccer, golf to baseball; everything that doesn’t suit up for the winter will be packed into the spring – COVID-19 protocols permitting.