Ruidoso High School Continues On Through Devastating Damage
Earlier this month, the Ruidoso community suffered devasting damage from historic flash flooding on July 8th. The waters surged over 20 feet, creating widespread damage resulting from heavy rains falling on burn scar terrain from last year’s South Fork and Salt fires. Ruidoso High School has students and teachers who have been affected by the recent floods. “In one way or another, it’s affected everyone,” said Ruidoso High School football coach Shane Eidson. “There are people hurting, but Ruidoso is tough. Just like last year, we are going to continue on.”
Last year, Ruidoso suffered destructive loss with a massive fire that burned through the area. “It’s been tough, but we pull ourselves up by the bootstraps and keep going to work,” said Eidson.
Eidson says he has a football player, along with a girls’ soccer player, and two or three teachers, who have lost their homes. “We support one another and help one another, and everyone pitches in to help us out. We’re going to make it, but it’s hard right now.”
Dylan Demarest is the football team’s defensive coordinator, and a Ruidoso High School alumnus. Growing up in the area, he’s never seen anything like this kind of damage over the past two years. “It’s been difficult, but a lot of the community members are coming together,” said the 2013 graduate. “We have one kid who lost his home, but he wants to still show up every day. Going through something like that is tough and he’s still going about his daily routine, that kid is awesome.”
While Eidson says the recent floods haven’t damaged any facilities for fall sports, there are concerns about athletics in the spring. “Our softball field was completely wiped out, but we have a little bit of time before the spring sports season,” said Eidson, also the school’s athletic director. “As far as fall sports, we should be ok with facilities, but looking ahead to the spring, we are going to have to make some changes.”
“Everyone is ready to get back to a sense of normalcy,” said Demarest. “Everyone wants to come watch some football again on Friday nights.” The Warriors open up the football season August 22nd at home against Eunice.
