The wait is over. North County's renovated stadium, including a new turf field and track facility, is complete and gorgeous.
The Condors will host their first game in the stadium tonight against Pajaro Valley under real lights on a plush, synthetic field. They expect to draw the largest crowd in the history of North County football.
“I’m curious to see what happens when the lights go on,” North County coach Sean Gomes said. “I know there’s a sense of excitement. There’s no postponing it.”
Friday’s not just the inaugural game on the sparkling facility. It’s also homecoming, causing even more of a stir on campus.
“It creates a little more anxiety and nervousness,” senior safety Jesus Avalos said. “We have not been home in a while.”
One day shy of 23 months to the day to be exact. That’s how long it’s been since the Condors played a home game on campus. But who is counting?
“Too many times to count the times I’ve look over there behind the fence,” Avalos said when asked how often he glanced at the field. “Everyone is talking about it on campus.”
Of course, there has been a price — like 18 straight road games over the last two years. The result has seen the Condors go just 3-15 in that span.
Yet, when North County practiced twice this week on its field, it felt surreal for 75-plus kids in the program who have done nothing but looked through a fence for 18 months.
“I’ve peeked over that fence after each practice for the last two years,” senior linebacker Alexis Ruiz said. “It’s starting to sink in that we’re going to play a home game.”
For Ruiz, there were mixed emotions running through his mind Tuesday as he walked down a path that leads to the field for the first time since 2015.
“I was emotional,” Ruiz said. “I’m excited because we’re finally home. At the same time, I’m a little sad because we only have two home games. It’s just a different vibe when you’re home.”
The stadium renovations were expected to be completed before this season started, but the rain over the winter delayed the project eight weeks.
“We’re trying not to get too caught up in the whole thing,” Gomes said. “We don’t want to embarrass ourselves in our first home game.”
Gomes took over a reclamation project two years ago after the program went through seven coaches in six years. The rebuilding process has been slow.
North County has struggled this fall, going 1-5 and suffering two shutouts. In its five losses, it has scored just 26 points.
“Maybe I haven’t prepared them well enough,” Gomes said. “We need to do a better job. But it will be nice to get dressed in our locker room instead of getting on a bus.”
The hope is the new digs, which is arguably the nicest high school facility in the county with its bowl shaped configuration, will regenerate interest in the program.
While the Condors have compiled the second most league titles in the county over the last 38 years, the program hasn’t won a league title in 14 years.
“I’m excited for the community, the school and the kids,” Gomes said. “The seniors last year made the sacrifice. But there’s a sense of pride in this program and its history.”
In addition to the new synthetic surface, an eight-lane, all-weather red track was laid down. The visitors’ side got a new set of permanent bleachers and there are new concessions and restrooms on the south side.
“There might be some goose bumps when we walk onto the field in uniform,” Avalos said. “It’s going to feel really different. We haven’t had that feeling of a home game in a while.”
One of the biggest additions was lights. After 40 years, North County will go from playing Saturday afternoon games to Friday under the lights.
“We took them down on the field on Tuesday and Wednesday to get a feel for the field and the lights in the evening,” Gomes said. “It’s been a long wait. Especially for these seniors.”
None of the players on Gomes’ roster have ever played a varsity home game on campus or in front of a true home crowd.
“The campus is buzzing,” Ruiz said. “We know we’re going to have a huge turnout. When I saw parts of the fence come down, that’s when it started to sink in. We’re home.”
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