Flood puts Stadium-Timberline football game in question

If the Stadium High School football team can’t replace the estimated eight helmets, 50 shoulder pads and other equipment that was damaged in a flooded locker room located on the Stadium Bowl field, it won’t be able to play its scheduled 7 p.m. game Friday against Timberline at South Sound Stadium in Lacey.

That was the initial estimated damage from Saturday’s flood, said Tacoma School District athletic director Sam Reed on Monday.

The school district will have to purchase new gear or borrow from some of Tacoma’s other public schools – Foss, Lincoln, Mount Tahoma or Wilson – if available, Reed said.

Stadium had to cancel its scheduled junior varsity game against Olympia Monday at Ingersoll Stadium because of the damaged equipment.

Friday is supposed to be Timberline’s homecoming game.

“I think there is a chance (Friday’s varsity game is canceled) but we are going to try to do everything in our power for us and for Timberline,” Reed said.

Reed said Stadium football coach Thomas Ford will conduct an in-depth inventory check for him Tuesday.

Stadium’s football and girls soccer practices are already moving to Jason Lee Middle School because of flood damage to the field.

Both teams used what they call the blockhouse on Stadium Bowl’s field level as their locker room, which took significant damage during Saturday’s flood.

And it wasn’t just district equipment that was damaged. Reed said the district will also gather inventory of personal items, such as shoes, cleats and socks, that were ruined.

The district is also trying to determine whether the damage was from storm or sewage water.

“We are looking at different options in terms of sanitization of the equipment,” Stadium athletic director Jim Catalinich said. “(Friday’s game) would depend on the turnaround time.”

This story was originally published October 12, 2015 at 9:16 PM with the headline "Flood puts Stadium-Timberline football game in question."