LAS VEGAS, N.M. — There was debate as to whether there should be a season at all in the days after the scandal broke.

Should the show go on when the allegations were so serious and potentially damaging?

By now, everyone — the news even made it to deadspin.com, a popular sports Web site — knows what happened at Western Life Camp in Gallinas Canyon, 15 miles from Las Vegas, N.M. Or, at least everyone has heard a version of what allegedly happened to a group of Robertson High School football players the week of Aug. 11-14. According to published reports, approximately six underclassman were hazed, and possibly sexually assaulted, at the training camp retreat. There were reports of players being allegedly violated with broomsticks. That's as far as I'll go in laying out some of the versions of what happened.

The details of what actually happened are currently being investigated by New Mexico State police and Las Vegas City Schools through an independent investigator.

Robertson head coach Ray Woods, his staff, and athletic director Mike Yara have been placed on paid leave.

So what's left behind? What is left floating in the wake?

Should the season have been canceled? Some thought so. That surely would have taught a lesson. It would have shown the district was taking the ultimate step in acknowledging those kind of allegations would be taken in all seriousness. It would have left an enduring impression.

But what about the kids that had nothing to do with the situation and just wanted to play football? What about the reality that, at this point, the facts are not known officially?

The latter outweighs the former.

The season should have gone on under two premises: the presumption of innocence in America and expectation that kids who have done nothing to exclude themselves should have the opportunity to participate in athletics. The investigation was always expected to last into the season, so waiting for a presentation of facts was out. The call to continue was the right one.

But now, everything must be re-examined. Expectations have to be altered. The season will never be as it was before the camp. Wins and losses for Robertson in the near future are secondary. The healing of the players is primary. Something good can still come of all this. Lessons of perseverance and overcoming adversity can be garnered. Character can be forged.

Cardinal Stadium was strangely, but understandably, subdued for the season-opener against Portales on Friday. The stands didn't start to fill until just after kickoff even then they only got to about 60 percent. Fans weren't quite sure what to expect, and then the team fell behind early before finally losing 51-7.

The Cardinals will give fans reasons to cheer and good football will eventually be played this year under interim head coach Richard Martinez. There are skilled players to watch and kids on the field that truly love the game.

It is for those players that the season should have gone on.