Vidor postpones homecoming fireworks show ahead of Santa Fe game

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Vidor High School is postponing its homecoming-game fireworks show Friday night out of respect for the visiting Santa Fe High School team, Pirates football coach Jeff Mathews said.

Mathews said the show, a longtime tradition, has been rescheduled for Nov. 9 during halftime of Vidor's game against Dayton. The school will honor veterans and its senior players that night.

"If this decision helps one kid at Santa Fe, then it was absolutely worth it," Mathews said.

The decision was made by Vidor Superintendent Jay Killgo in conjunction with Mathews on Wednesday, a day after Santa Fe High School principal Rachell Blundell sent out an email advising parents of Vidor's homecoming traditions, including the raucous fireworks display.

BACKGROUND: 3 months after deadly school shooting, Santa Fe students return to class

Santa Fe administrators feared the fireworks might traumatize some students after the mass shooting at the high school, according to Blundell's advisory. Ten people were killed and 13 others injured on May 18. The 17-year-old gunman has been charged with capital murder.

Santa Fe High School football players run through drills during their first practice of the year Monday Aug. 6, 2018 in Santa Fe. Two of the team's players, Christopher Stone and Christian Riley Garcia, were killed last May during the school shooting that claimed the lives of 10 students and teachers. less Santa Fe High School football players run through drills during their first practice of the year Monday Aug. 6, 2018 in Santa Fe. Two of the team's players, Christopher Stone and Christian Riley Garcia, were ... more Photo: Michael Ciaglo, Houston Chronicle Photo: Michael Ciaglo, Houston Chronicle Image 1 of / 79 Caption Close Vidor postpones homecoming fireworks show ahead of Santa Fe game 1 / 79 Back to Gallery

All other aspects of Vidor's annual homecoming festivities will go off as planned on Friday night, Mathews said. Officials will dim the lights at halftime when the band takes the field for a glow stick and fire board show.

Vidor administrators had contacted Santa Fe earlier this week about its annual homecoming show.

"It's just the right thing to do," Mathews said of postponing the fireworks. "I feel pretty passionate about that."

Kickoff in Vidor is 7:30 p.m. Friday.

MFaye@BeaumontEnterprise.com | Twitter.com/mattGfaye