FORKS — The ongoing schoolteachers strike in British Columbia will not prevent the Mount Douglas Rams from crossing the Strait of Juan de Fuca to play a football game against Forks.
Forks athletic director and football coach Mark Feasel said Mount Douglas Secondary School’s football team is required to have an escort from the school, and the Victoria school’s principal has agreed to fill that role for Friday’s game.
Classes were supposed to begin today in British Columbia, but they will be delayed as the summer-long strike of 40,000 teachers throughout the province spreads into the new school year. (See Page A4 for more information.)
The Rams are something of a dynasty in British Columbia coming off their third consecutive AAA province championship. But they might be chasing No. 4 with a different cast of characters.
“They run the spread so they throw a lot,” Feasel said.
“But they’re rebuilding.”
Friday’s game kicks off at 4 p.m. at Forks High School.
Feasel said Forks will host a barbecue following the game to feed the Rams before they travel back to Victoria.
Neah Bay finds opponent
For the second consecutive year, 8-man football powerhouse Neah Bay will open the season with an 11-man game.
The defending Class 1B state champions Red Devils have set up a game with Ocosota, a 2B school from Westport, on Friday.
The Wildcats replace Cusick, which had to cancel its game with Neah Bay due to a lack of eligible players.
Red Devils coach Tony McCaulley anticipates the Red Devils will have approximately 23 players eligible for the opener.
The game will be played in Westport at 7 p.m.
Ocosta finished 3-7 last season.
Spartans soccer
After canceling the 2013 season before it even started, Feasel said Forks currently has enough players to field a girls soccer team this year.
“So far, so good,” Feasel said. “They have a new coach and are having fun.”
Joe Morton is the new gcoach. His assistant is Forks track and field coach Pam Gale.
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Sports Editor Lee Horton can be reached at 360-417-3525 or at lhorton@peninsuladailynews.com.