Jamestown High School will forfeit the school’s upcoming football game against Lafayette because six out of the team’s 23 players are injured.
“The health and safety of our student-athletes is and must remain our greatest consideration,” said Kenny Edwards, Jamestown High School’s athletic director. “We are thinking not only of the injured players but also the 17 remaining team members. There simply are not enough athletes to ensure adequate substitutions or breaks from play during Friday’s game. We will not risk additional injuries.”
According to the Williamsburg-James City County Public Schools’ news release, the decision to forfeit the game was made by the Jamestown principal, Howard Townsend, the school’s athletic trainer, football coach and Edwards.
School officials did not make it clear when that decision was reached or whether the injuries were game-related.
The game was supposed to take place Friday, 7 p.m.
“I know it is disappointing for our players and our school community to cancel this week’s game, but it is absolutely the right thing to do,” Townsend said. “I will choose student welfare over wins and losses every time. Our team and our student body are resilient. We will not let this set back define us.”
The game will be recorded as a loss per the Virginia High School League’s rules. In addition, the football players will be evaluated on a weekly basis for the rest of the season.
“We certainly understand and support Jamestown’s decision,” said Daniel Miani, principal of Lafayette High School. “In the spirit of good sportsmanship, we wish the Eagles players a speedy recovery.”
