As high school football season approaches the playoffs, several teams across the country are forfeiting games or the remainder of the season, citing roster availability and safety concerns.
According to Sports Illustrated, two winless teams in Massachusetts both forfeited games this week. Saugus High School started the season with a 0-6 record in Division 5 of the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association’s Northeastern League. The school’s varsity football team was scheduled to face Gloucester High School this week, but school officials made the choice to forfeit, saying the current roster is not equipped to handle the game.
Lexington High School is in a similar position. The Minutemen started the season with an 0-6 record as well, and officials from that school have forfeited the next two matchups of the season. They have not finalized the final game of the season, but a lack of eligible players could lead to a third forfeit.
“This has been a hard day, but there is relief,” Lexington athletic director Naomi Martin said. “We have had honest conversations with the league on a week by week basis, and we can not put a varsity team on the field this week.”
Across the country in Texas, a similar story is playing out. Austin ISD’s Liberal Arts and Sciences Academy is forfeiting the rest of the season after also forfeiting last week’s game.
According to KXAN, principal Stacia Crescenzi sent a letter to families citing roster size and player safety concerns as major contributors to the decision. The UIL also supported LASA’s decision to forfeit the remainder of the season, and head football coach Gary Howard has stepped down from the program.
"This has been a challenging season for our entire football community, but in particular for our seniors and their families,” Crescenzi said in the letter. “While the long-term path forward for Raptor Football is still being determined, the outcome of this season in no way diminishes the extraordinary dedication, resilience, and hard work our players have demonstrated.”
