EUCLID, Ohio — The "Friday Night Lights" of high school football will not be shining this week in Euclid.
According to a Facebook post from the Euclid City Schools, Friday's game between the Panthers and the Solon Comets will not take place. "The Solon City School District has chosen to forfeit the game instead of making the journey to Euclid Community Stadium," Euclid Superintendent Christopher Papouras wrote in the post.
The decision by Solon not to travel north to Euclid this Friday comes just days after Euclid school officials moved last week's home high school football game to Brunswick following unspecified "inappropriate and inexcusable behavior on and off our campus" among a select number of students.
Solon school officials stated that "given the events that occurred last week around Euclid High School," they believed that "the safest course of action" is to not travel to Euclid. Solon added that it offered to host Friday's game at Stewart Field and "provide Euclid every opportunity to honor their student athletes and band members for their Senior Night."
Since Euclid was not willing to move the game to Solon, school officials there say the game has been canceled. "Per Ohio High School Athletic Association regulations, a regular season game that is canceled is considered a “no contest,” not a forfeiture. A “no contest” shall not be included in won-lost records," Solon leaders added, disputing the notion that they will be forfeiting.
Papouras disagreed with the notion that Euclid would not be a safe place in which to host the game.
"We want to emphasize that Euclid Schools are committed to hosting events only when we can ensure our local community's and visiting opponents' safety," he stated. "Therefore, we find no reason to move Friday night’s game.
Papouras stated that the decision to move last week's game to Brunswick came "after careful consideration so a thorough investigation into community concerns could be properly completed. The high school administrators then dedicated time to thoroughly address those concerns, resulting in an enjoyable and memorable Homecoming Dance. We are eager to provide our students with traditional and typical high school experiences."
This Friday's game was slated to be Senior Night at Euclid. Papouras says school officials are "actively attempting to schedule another team to play Friday at Euclid Community Stadium," while exploring "opportunities to celebrate our Senior football players, band members, and cheerleaders.
In the meantime, the Euclid Panthers will travel to Solon on Thursday for the Freshman football game and again on Saturday for the JV game "in the spirit of sportsmanship and friendly competition."
You can read Papouras' entire post below:
Here is the statement from the Solon City School District:
"After extensive conversations between Euclid and Solon administrators, Solon has determined that our football team, band/dance team, cheerleaders and fans will not travel to Euclid Friday night. This decision was not made lightly, as we take the safety and well being of our students and community very seriously. Given the events that occurred last week around Euclid High School, we believe this is the safest course of action.
"The SHS administration offered to host Friday’s game and provide Euclid every opportunity to honor their student athletes and band members for their Senior Night. Adjustments would have been made to the traditional events at a home game - Euclid’s band would have performed all pre-game festivities (facing their stands) and would have been recognized as the home team in all aspects of the game. Additionally, the Solon Music Parents were willing to share the revenue from concessions, the SHS athletic department would have shared all gate profits and the Solon Schools would have covered the cost of all event staff.
"Unfortunately, Euclid was not willing to move the game to Solon’s Stewart Field. Therefore, Friday’s varsity football game between Solon High School and Euclid High School has been canceled.
"Per Ohio High School Athletic Association regulations, a regular season game that is canceled is considered a “no contest,” not a forfeiture. A “no contest” shall not be included in won-lost records.
"We look forward to our Week 9 match-up when the Comets travel to Brunswick on Friday, October 13. Kick-off is at 7 p.m."
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