Paradise football team delivers healing and opening-night victory

Video: Friday Night Lights in Paradise (Calif.)

PARADISE, Calif. — Paradise football coach Rick Prinz warned his team of the distractions. He knew the long, emotional journey from the deadly Camp Fire to Om Wraith Field on Friday night could take something out of his squad.

Before an overflow and emotional crowd of approximately 5,000 fans, Paradise scored early and often to deliver a 42-0 victory over Williams that extended far beyond the gridiron. It was the first game back since the Nov. 8, 2018 Camp Fire, the most destructive wildfire in California history, which claimed 150,000-plus acres, more than 18,000 structures and took 86 lives, the deadliest U.S. blaze in 147 years.  

Almost 90 percent of the team's players and coaches were displaced. Most relocated out of Paradise, to nearby communities.

But Friday's performance felt like home, a typical resounding Bobcat victory, utilizing a quick-strike, deceptive Wing-T attack.

"Getting here was so hard, so many distractions," said Prinz, looking exhausted after the game. "To come out here and play like that. In a week double-zero game. I'm just so proud of them.

"But we have a long way to go."

So does the community. But like these Bobcats, the community is quite driven. Very prideful. Strong. "It is a great rallying point for our community," Prinz said. "The people are rebuilding. Maybe watching these kids, they'll say, 'hey, it's going to work.' "

Just before the game, three dozen first responders to the blaze marched onto the field and were greeted with a truly rousing and emotional cheer from the home crowd. "You guys are bad-asses and we'll never forget you."

Shortly after, a group of 13 seniors from last year's 8-2 squad, led the traditional march down the center of the stands. Thirty-five 2019 players followed, slapping a plaque that read "C.M.F. 11-8-18." The clean version is that it stands for "Crazy Mountain Folk."

They graduated players held two U.S. flags, one in honor of the victims who lost their lives and the other to pay tribute to the first responders. Those seniors had their seasons cut short, as the fire destroyed the town the day before the scheduled Northern Section playoff opener.

Prinz and Paradise had to cancel the season. It left a hollow and bitter feeling, especially for those seniors, on top of the horrific tragedy.

Friday's game was the first major revival for the town since the fire, and after the Bobcats took the field while serenaded to Johnny Cash's "God's Gonna Cut You Down," there was no stopping them. Even a generous donation at midfield — reportedly a check for $3,000 — during the coin toss from Williams, and a poster that read: "One team, one dream. Paradise Strong. Good luck Bobcats," didn't slow them.

They tore down the field 70 yards on their first possession, capped with an 11-yard touchdown run by Lukas Hartley, making it 7-0 with only 3 minutes, 5 seconds gone.

"Don't go soft on us," Hartley said to a Williams defender while patting him on the backside.

Before the quarter was done, Danny Bettencourt had connected on a 64-yard catch and run by Mason Cowan, and impressive 6-foot-2, 245-pound sophomore running back Ashton Wagner ripped off a 12-yard TD and this one was essentially over.

Hartley, who missed most of 2018 with an injury, and, who like almost the entire roster, lost his home in the fire, looked particularly sharp, breaking off a 94-yard touchdown run in the second quarter that was nullified by a penalty. No big deal. He broke loose for a 40-yard run, before finishing off the drive with a 23-yard touchdown run, making it 28-0. Two more touchdowns runs — 30 yards by Stetson Morgan and 16 yards by Tyler Harrison — led to a running clock, a swift second half and an entire community going home happy. Uplifted. Inspired, even.

"We started healing in this town with this game," Paradise assistant coach Andy Hopper said before the game. "We were willing to pick the flag for that. We want the healing to begin. We appreciate everyone noticing us right now, but we know this will all go away. What will be left is our football family. We're all going to have each other: One team. One family. One town."

To donate to Paradise High athletics, contact athletic director Anne Stearns at astearns@pusdk12.org.