A homecoming pivot for Ozaukee

Ozaukee High School’s homecoming festivities are taking on a different look this year.

The usual macho volleyball match and powderpuff football game will be held Friday night, Oct. 10, in place of the varsity football game.

The Random Lake/Ozaukee co-op football team, formed before last season due to a low number of players on both teams, struggled earlier this season to reach a critical mass of varsity-level players. After multiple injuries left the team even more shorthanded, the decision was made to forfeit the remainder of this year’s varsity games.

The Bison (1-5) were down to about 20 players, some of whom aren’t ready for varsity competition.

“We were pretty thin as it was,” coach Cole Large said.

The Bison were left with three freshmen playing both the offensive and defensive lines.

That was deemed to be too big of a risk.

 “For some of these guys it’s a pretty big mismatch. They’re giving what they got, but we’ve just gotta be smart with that,” Large said.

“We’ve gotta do what’s best for our kids. That’s our No. 1 priority as far as safety and health.”

The team has tried to find varsity reserve or junior varsity games, but most teams’ schedules are full by now.

As a result, Ozaukee is holding a similar schedule to what Random Lake did for its homecoming last Friday.

Friday, Oct. 10, has the following schedule:

A tailgate party outside the high school near the concession stand featuring $5 meal deals from the Booster Club will be held from 5 to 6:30 p.m.

Macho volleyball will be held in the gym and the pep band will perform from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.

The powderpuff game will be played on the football field from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m.

The dance will be held Saturday, Oct. 11, in the school cafeteria, with the grand march at 10:00 p.m.