Riverdale cancels two football games, East Jefferson places 20 players in COVID-19 quarantine

The euphoria of a 41-13 victory for East Jefferson over Riverdale has quickly turned to agony for both football programs.

As first reported Friday by CCS colleague Ed Daniels, a Riverdale defensive player who played in the game Wednesday night has tested positive.

The entire Rebel football team has been quarantined.

The existing policy for the Jefferson Parish schools is a 14-day quarantine for those who came in contact with the infected individual.

Riverdale coach Kyle Walker confirmed the positive test.

“We have taken all the precautions, followed all the protocols,” Walker said. “We do not blame the young man at all. You can take every precaution and this still happens. This is rough on everyone. I feel for the seniors who are going to lose two games. It’s a new world. We’re going to come back and try to be ready to play. I feel bad for the kids.”

East Jefferson coach Frank Allelo said the situation appears to have impacted 20 offensive players for the Warriors.

“We were fortunate to have a good lead in the game and were able to play a lot of players on offense,” Allelo said. ”I guess that turned out to be a bit unfortunate. We already had just eight games and now it will be down to six. It hurts for these young men. We will abide by the applicable protocols.”

Riverdale was scheduled to play Grace King next week, followed by Higgins. Walker said the Rebels will have to miss two weeks before taking on District 6-5A favorite and defending champion John Ehret at home on Oct. 30.

East Jefferson is scheduled to play Bonnabel and Grace King over the next two weeks and will likely have to miss both games, barring any change in policy. The Warriors are scheduled to return to play in a district contest at Chalmette on Oct. 30.