Fear on Friday Night : A look at how violence has affected high school football games in the Southland.

The Scene: West Covina at La Puente Nogales, Friday, Nov. 1, 7:30 p.m. Nogales’ homecoming. Estimated attendance: 1,500. Security: Six school district officers.

The Background: Last season, Nogales canceled a home game out of fear of gang violence. In the two weeks before that game, Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputies reported at least 16 gang-related shootings in the La Puente area, including a drive-by killing of a 16-year-old former Nogales student.

“The game was called because the school district superintendent felt that the kids were being violated by some person or persons,” a Nogales security guard said. “It was just a matter of keeping the safety of the kids in mind.”

Before last week’s West Covina-Nogales game, school district security was warned of a possible drive-by shooting at the West Covina side of the stadium.

There was no special preparation, but security around the stadium was evident. Security officials checked stadium bleachers five hours before kickoff.

A Police Officer’s Perspective: Head of security for Nogales’ school district, George Hunn has worked at Nogales’ games for 18 years, the last 15 as security supervisor.

“When I first started, there was not as much stress,” says Hunn, dressed in a striking green guard uniform. “I thought it was hard at that particular time, but now it’s a disaster.”

Hunn downplays the gang violence in the La Puente area but acknowledges its existence. Even though he is a Nogales fan, he usually misses most of the action because he is constantly looking for potential problems.

“My day starts around 2:30 p.m, when I go through the stands and make sure that there’s nothing there that’ll create a problem,” Hunn said. “We don’t require any outside police force to be at our games at anytime.

“Yes, there has been gunplay in the area four or five blocks away from the school, but we’ve never had any major problems at the school.”

Nogales defeats West Covina, 43-25. The victory pleases Hunn, but he is happier that there was no violence.

“This is what high school football is all about,” he says. “A Friday night. A great game. And everybody is happy.”