High school football returns to Las Cruces with 1st August kick-off in 2 years

LAS CRUCES, New Mexico -- For the first time in twenty-four months, the Field of Dreams will host a fall season of high school football.

"That’s exciting, let me tell you," said Ernie Viramontes, the athletic director for Las Cruces Public Schools. "You prepare for everything. You get everything ready in the summer months."

On Friday night, Las Cruces High School will host Volcano Vista High School in the LCHS season opener.

"Right now, it just really feels amazing to be able to get out here with a full team, with a full schedule and to do all these things that were taken away last year," Coach Mark Lopez told ABC-7 earlier this month.

With high school football postponed in 2020 due to the pandemic, those seniors played their final season during the spring of 2021. This year, football is scheduled to kick off in the fall once more.

“We’re not completely out of Covid," Viramontes said. "We all have to be smart and do it together and follow the guidelines."

For outdoor sports like football, a mask is not required, except for indoor concession purchases. Masks are still required for indoor sports.

There are no capacity restrictions, but the district strongly encourages social distancing in the stands.

“We are all in this together," said Kelly Jameson, a spokeswoman for the school district. "That six-foot rule applies even if you’re outdoors.”