Mesa Ridge football players arrived in Montrose on Saturday expecting to suit up for a high school playoff game, but they faced another challenge when they entered their locker room.

Prior to their 4A quarterfinals playoff game, Grizzlies players and coaches saw racial and homophobic slurs and a swastika written in the dust in their lockers.

Montrose, CHSAA address slurs and swastika Mesa Ridge football team found in locker room

Mesa Ridge coach Jerimi Calip said he was disappointed by what the team found upon arriving at the school.

“I’m upset with the way that it impacted our kids,” Calip said. “They forgot all about football and made it personal, and trying to check their emotions after all of the crap they’ve been through this year was tough. For me, I just hate that our kids had to experience the ugly side of humanity.”

Photos and video, provided by Calip, displayed more than 10 lockers with the slurs, a swastika and other derogatory comments written in them.

Representatives for Montrose did not immediately respond to an inquiry regarding the situation.

According to the school’s website, classes ended Friday for Montrose because Thanksgiving break will begin Monday.

Calip also informed Colorado High School Activities Association of the incident after the game, which Montrose won 53-21.

When contacted by The Gazette, Amanda McClure, CHSAA Director of Communications, said:

“CHSAA is aware of the situation, but at this moment in time, everything is being handled between the administration of the two schools.”

Mesa Ridge finished the year 8-4 and advanced to the quarterfinals for the third consecutive season.

This story will be updated should representatives at Montrose respond with comments regarding Saturday’s incident.