GISD announces Apache Field not ready for Week One

The Gonzales Apaches will have to wait until Sept. 20 for their first home game of their 2024 season.

Gonzales ISD announced Friday, Aug. 23, that Apache Field will not be ready for the season opener against the San Antonio Central Catholic Buttons on Friday, Aug. 30.

Instead of hosting the non-district game against SACCHS, the Apaches will have to wait until Week 4, when they welcome in the Pleasanton Eagles at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 20.

“We know that many of our staff, community members, and students are excited about the renovations and updates to Apache Field. Unfortunately, after communicating with the project managers, we were informed that our beloved football field will not be ready for our first game,” GISD said in a press release.

Gonzales ISD Director of Operations Gene Kridler told the Inquirer there were multiple factors why the field wasn’t ready in time for the original home opener.

“It was a combination of things. One of the first things was tha we started late. It was probably mid-July, I think, when they started killing the old grass and scraping it and getting that done. And we didn't lay the sod down until Aug. 1, right off the bat. You know, the company wanted 45 days. We wanted 30 to make sure we could get the game in. And unfortunately, we had some armyworms that attacked us,” Kridler said.

Kridler added the district treated the grass in time before the armyworms did any more damage.

“They basically eat the blades of grass all the way down. It would have burned it, scorched it with us. You know, it got some, but fortunately, we were able to catch it and we were able to treat for them, so that helped considerably,” Kridler said.

Other factors which contributed include the contractor doing other jobs and weather delays.

Despite the delay for the Apaches’ home opener, Kridler is excited to have the first home game on the new grass at Apache Field.

“I'm really excited that we were able to do that, that the board decided to do that for the new sod. I think that, just given a little bit more time, the field's going to be great. This year's going to be good, but next year will be even better, once the roots take more hold and grow for the whole year.” Kridler said.

Gonzales will instead play this Friday, Aug. 30, at Bob Benson ’66 Stadium, 1403 N St. Mary's St., San Antonio. Gates open at 6 p.m. and kickoff is set for 7 p.m.