Field Report
Alemany High’s usual seating capacity is 2,500. The Indians brought in 2,800 portable bleachers for a Division I quarterfinal against Mater Dei on Friday night, making it the largest crowd to attend an Alemany home game since the school opened in 1956.
“Jimmy [Bonds] wanted his players to have a home game of this magnitude,” athletic director Tim Browne said.
The Indians put up portable bleachers in both end zones and decorated the field with cardinal and gold balloons.
The school ended up paying only $6,000 for the bleachers, getting a break from the original $15,000 price by donating labor.
Mater Dei fans started showing up at 3:30 p.m. for tailgate parties, four hours before game time.
Cardinal Roger Mahony was in attendance.
“Welcome to the circus,” said one Alemany official.
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