Huge Crowds Expected For Huge Game

The Big Game is Friday night at Dunlavy Field. The annual showdown between Sonora High and Oakdale always draw a huge crowd.

Planning to handle up to 10-thousand fans is quite an involved effort. “It´s huge,” Clark exclaimed. “But, if you don´t plan for it, then you have all the problems of what happens if you haven´t prepared for it.”

Sonora High Principal Terry Clark says meetings have been taking place over the past weeks with both Sonora and Oakdale law enforcement and student body leaders.

“We have meet with our administrative staff, our security , and all of the different emergency services in the city of Sonora,” Clark said. That includes the California Highway Patrol, the city police, the fire department and Tuolumne County Office of Emergency Services.

Oakdale Police will also be present at the big game Friday night. Clark said they will bring their equestrian patrol unit to the stadium.

Extra bleachers have been installed and District busses will shuttle fans from the Wal-Mart-Mervyn´s parking lots off Sanguinetti Road to the stadium and back that night starting at 5:30 p.m.

Clark also reminds fans who may be arriving early and having tailgate parties or bringing food into the stadium, that alcohol is not allowed on school property, in the parking lots or in the bleachers . An extra snack bar will also be open that night as well on the Oakdale side of the field.

Gates open at Dunlavy Field at 3:30 p.m., but seats can not be saved using blankets. They will be removed if not attended.

Both varsity teams go into this game undefeated.

Fans can also listen to all the play by play game action and color on the radio live beginning at 7 p.m. on AM 1450 KVML.