Lions cancel for COVID concern

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  • Dublin Lion Kyler Madruga veers away from Brady Bulldog defense during Friday’s homecoming loss. Madruga racked up 78 yards in rushing and carried in two touchdowns for the home team. Paul Gaudette | Citizen staff photo
    Dublin Lion Kyler Madruga veers away from Brady Bulldog defense during Friday’s homecoming loss. Madruga racked up 78 yards in rushing and carried in two touchdowns for the home team. Paul Gaudette | Citizen staff photo
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The Dublin Lions are facing an extra bye week before District play starts with an Oct. 9 game against Comanche at home.

This decision follows several football players testing positive for COVID-19 after the weekend.

Dublin Athletic Director/Head Football Coach Bob Cervetto reported that the school is focused on keeping its players healthy so the team will go back to individual training while the school continues its rigorous routine of checking temperatures and administering smell tests before students enter the building. Player equipment was also being sterilized Monday while the facilities were being sanitized. Games were also being canceled for JV and junior high teams while the schools were focused on stopping the spread of the disease.

The cancellation of Friday’s game against San Saba for the varsity follows a 38-24 Homecoming upset to the Brady Bulldogs.

Cervetto praised his players for the strong plays in the face of adversity. He reported that several of the Lions were volunteering for positions outside of their skill set after players like Colton Moore and Manuel Garcia faced injuries.

Kyler Madruga contributed 78 yards in rushing for the Lions and carried the ball into the endzone twice. Christian Ramirez also carried in the ball for the home team and racked up 42 yards in receiving. Jacob Shubert and Landon Burch also respectively had 31 and 27 yards in receiving.

Chris Teten added in 142 yards in passing to bring his season total to 1,061.

Although it was a tough loss, Cervetto feels that it provided some valuable lessons on adversity and endurance, which will help when district starts on Oct. 9.