Two days after Barberton (Ohio) High School cancelled its varsity football game against Highland High School, Highland's athletic director has asked that Barberton's team be removed from the Suburban League.
According to the Akron Beacon Journal, a plague of injuries forced administrators to cancel Barberton's Oct. 3 game.
"Barberton City Schools has made the difficult decision to withdraw from this Friday’s football game due to a number of player injuries that have reduced the roster size," Barberton City Schools said on its website. "While multiple options were explored, it was determined that competing would not be safe or feasible."
In a letter to other Suburban League athletic director's, Highland athletic director John Bailey said that while he understands the challenges that emerge during a season, Barberton's decision to cancel the game, which was Highland's homecoming contest, raises "significant concerns that we, as a league, cannot ignore."
"If a single member is allowed to cancel contests without appropriate consequences, it opens the door for future disruptions across multiple sports and seasons," Bailey wrote. "This is not only unfair to the schools who meet their commitments, but also harmful to the reputation we have built as one of Ohio's most respected leagues.
"In light of these circumstances, I recommend that we take formal action to remove Barberton from the Suburban League. Doing so will reinforce our shared values, protect the integrity of our schedules, and maintain the high standards we expect of all member schools."
In lieu of a homecoming game, Highland will be hosting a Homecoming Community Night Pep Rally and Fireworks Show starting at 6 p.m. Friday.
