Tracy High’s new Wayne Schneider Stadium is set to open August 30

Wayne+Schneider+stands+at+the+new+stadium+before+the+rededication

Wayne Thallander

Wayne Schneider stands at the new stadium before the rededication

Haleigh Vinyard, Staff Reporter

Anticipation on campus for the new stadium opening is electrifying, but the Tracy High varsity football team cannot wait for the upcoming season. After playing all its games away from Tracy High (Tracy used West as its “home” field) last year, the varsity is excited to play on its field on campus.

Coach Matt Shrout and players believe that playing on the home field and having a huge crowd behind the team will motivate them to do their best.

“The new stadium is amazing,” Shrout said, “and at such a nice place to play, you want to play better.”

In the summer the team had mandatory training every day which was harder than the previous year, many players stayed longer to get in more conditioning. Shrout has set high goals for the team this year.

“Our goals are simple,” Shrout said, “we want to make playoffs.”

Senior quarterback and linebacker Damon Stroup believes that the team will make playoffs and be successful there. Stroup has played at Tracy High for three years. He is really excited for his last year of football in high school. Although Stoup did not get much playing time last year due to multiple injuries (torn Achilles tendon and a concussion), he hopes he can continue his football career in college.

“California Polytechnic State University at San Luis Obispo (CPSLO) would be great to go to because they run our offense,” Stroup said.

Senior linebacker Christopher Mahar is very confident in the team. Mahar has played football at Tracy High for three years, but has only been able to play one full season due to being ineligible.

Varsity and sophomores did well in the last season and the mix of returning varsity players and the new juniors will benefit the team.

“Last year varsity went 7-3 overall and the sophomores went 9-1,” Mahar said, “I think if we work hard enough we will go to playoffs and do great there.”

Mahar also has high goals for himself; he hopes to receive all-league as he did last year, along with defensive player of the ear. He feels confident in himself and his team.

“Everyone plays well together,” Mahar said, “and that will help our game a lot.”

Junior guard Nathan Brown is in his second year playing varsity. Brown has been looked at by Oregon State and CPSLO. Brown said he is lucky to have played with such a great team last year and excited to play this year.

“Even though we lost some great players from last year’s team due to graduation our team is looking pretty great this year,” Brown said.

For the first game of the season Tracy will be hosting Sierra on Aug. 30. This is also the stadium opening and rededication.