OBSERVER File Photo Dunkirk was listed as a Class B honorable-mention selection in this week’s NYSSWA football rankings, but a majority of the Marauders are now in a COVID-19 quarantine.

Members of Dunkirk’s varsity football team have been placed in a COVID-19 quarantine for the second time this season.

The current quarantine began Friday, the night of the Marauders’ last game, and will last through Monday, Sept. 27.

Eleven of Dunkirk’s varsity players are fully vaccinated as is the entire coaching staff so practices are continuing alongside the jayvee team, which was not affected by contact tracing. Eighteen or 19 players are affected by the quarantine, according to head coach Mark Benton.

“We’re doing the best we can, mixing and matching. We’ve practiced Monday and Tuesday and they’ve been OK. We’re getting some things done, let’s just put it that way,” Benton said Tuesday evening. “We had three players join late and this will help them get eligible for our next game … allow them to learn the offense and the defense.”

Dunkirk’s previously scheduled home game this coming Friday will now be played Tuesday, Oct. 5 at 7 p.m. at Karl Hoeppner Field. Due to that game being moved, the Marauders’ game originally scheduled for Friday, Oct. 8 has been moved to Saturday, Oct. 9, also at Karl Hoeppner Field at 7 p.m.

Dunkirk is scheduled to return from quarantine four days before a Friday, Oct. 1 game at Bradner Stadium in Olean against the Huskies. That will start a string of three games in eight days.

“You can’t do much on that Saturday except watch film,” Benton said of a three-day break between games. “We’re scouting, studying film and putting game plans together. We’re going forward as a coaching staff and we’re doing what we can do.”

Dunkirk first had to quarantine near the end of its first week of practice and the Marauders’ first game of the season, a nonleague contest at Kenmore East, was canceled.

“It’s frustrating for me, but it’s more frustrating for the kids,” Benton said. “It might not be the last time we’re down or another team we’re playing is down.”

On Saturday, Sept. 11, Dunkirk opened its season with a 20-6 Class B South victory at Lake Shore, but last Friday the Marauders fell 51-14 to Iroquois.

“It’s a new system and new kids. Javi (DeJesus) was on the soccer team a year ago and two years ago was a lineman on the JV team … making his second career start at quarterback against Iroquois’ quarterback who is All-Western New York,” Benton said of Friday’s loss. “To be down 22-14 against the second-ranked team in the state, and we’ve only had 15 practices, when you really break it down it is somewhat remarkable.”

Beginning with the Olean game on Oct. 1, Dunkirk will now be scheduled to play five games in 22 days, ending with a nonleague rivalry game against Fredonia on Oct. 22 at Karl Hoeppner Field.

“I thought we were making some strides and still had a ways to go, but we’re back three days and here we go again,” Benton said. “We’ll do what we can do. These are the cards we are dealt. I’m still very positive. We have some great kids to work with and our attitude has been good. It’s upbeat, but it’s just another punch in the stomach so to speak.”