Officials for Pasadena Poly and Rio Hondo Prep confirmed that Friday’s football game that was slated to be played at the Rose Bowl has been canceled.
The schools did not give a formal reason for the cancellation. The decision was made after both teams practiced Thursday afternoon.
“Our guys were devastated when I broke the news after practice,” Rio Hondo Prep coach Mark Carson said. “(In) talking with (Pasadena Poly) coach (Chris) Schmoke, it sounded like their kids reacted the same way.”
Carson said he is looking for a replacement game for Friday or Saturday.
This was supposed to be Pasadena Poly’s only football game of the season. Most of the players on the squad will be playing baseball, which starts its season Saturday.
Administrators for Pasadena Poly didn’t respond to emails or text messages sent by the Southern California Newspaper Group.
The game was supposed to be part of a doubleheader at the Rose Bowl with the second game featuring Burbank vs. Pasadena in the Pacific League opener.
According to Pasadena High athletic director Tony Brooks, that game will be played starting at 6:30 p.m. The game will be livestreamed on NFHS Network.