In reversal, Healdsburg High allows fans to attend boys soccer game

A day after incidents of unruly fan behavior prompted Healdsburg High officials to bar spectators from the final home game of the boys soccer season, the administration reversed the call Thursday and will allow spectators to watch the game against Rancho Cotate High School. Junior varsity kick off is at 4 p.m., varsity is at 6 p.m. Thursday.

The move comes after Healdsburg High principal Bill Halliday received assurances Thursday morning from players and parents that the game would be played without incident.

“They said they would do whatever they could do on their part to make sure it was a safe and proper game,” Halliday said of the meeting he had Thursday with four senior captains.

Halliday also met, for the second time in 24 hours, with parents to gain assurances that fan behavior would not interfere with the game or present a safety issue.

“This wasn't based on student behavior,” he said of the initial move to ban spectators.

After the 'Hounds game with Elsie Allen on Tuesday, fans from both sides reportedly ran onto the field and confronted each other. Halliday said those involved were largely family members of players and not students. He described the incident as a "minor scuffle" that did not result a fight, but caused concern.

“That's just not safe,” he said.

In light of that, Halliday met with approximately 35 parents Wednesday night to announce that the game between Healdsburg and Rancho Cotate, two teams vying for second place in the North Bay League-Oak Division, would be played to empty stands. Rancho Cotate's administration sent out an email to its parents that they, too, would not be allowed to attend and expressed support for Halliday's decision.

Halliday said he changed his mind when it became clear many players would not show up if fans were barred.

“What turned me was last night, driving home, and realizing that we are probably not going to have a game that is very important to both schools,” he said.

Two private security guards have been hired, as well as a fourth referee, Halliday said. School officials also have asked Healdsburg Police to be in the vicinity should something happen.

Healdsburg and Rancho Cotate are tied for second in the North Bay League-Oak Division, both with league records of 2-2-3. They tied 4-4 when they played Jan. 16.