ROCKY RIVER, Ohio — Tonight's Division III OHSAA playoff matchup that was moved from Mansfield Senior to Rocky River will be played without fans.
The decision comes after a series of threats to 'shoot up' Mansfield Senior High School and Arlin Field caused the Mansfield City School District to cancel all classes Friday. The threats also led school officials in Mansfield to move the game north to Rocky River.
Because Mansfield City Schools closed its district, the OHSAA determined that the game must be played tonight or be declared a forfeit.
"As a result of this new information and to ensure maximum caution and safety, tonight’s OHSAA football game between Rocky River High School and Mansfield Senior High will be played at RRHS Stadium with no fans in attendance," Rocky River school officials said in a statement. "Only football players, cheerleaders, members of the marching band, directors, advisors, coaches, and needed staff will be permitted into Rocky River High School stadium. RRPD and Mansfield Police will be in attendance to provide security."
All tickets that have been pre-purchased will automatically be refunded through HomeTown Ticketing and the OHSAA.
"We apologize for this inconvenience, but recognize the importance of allowing students from both schools the opportunity to play and participate in tonight’s game in the safest possible manner, making it manageable for our security forces and the police department," Rocky River school officials added.
Fans will be able to watch the game tonight by clicking here.
Also, the Rocky River High School Marching Band will not be performing during the game. "I told some of our officers/captains that this is a situation where there are not any decisions that feel good, and at no point are we certain that the decisions we make are the right ones in the end. That said, we also do things as a group and the option of some coming to the game and others not coming did not feel like the environment that we work hard to foster," said Band Director Michael Komperada in an email to parents.
Meanwhile, Mansfield Police say they have arrested the student who allegedly made the shooting threats against the high school. The first threat was received around 1:15 p.m. on Thursday. After being notified of the threat, officers identified and took a student into custody by 1:25 p.m.
The student admitted to making the threats, but noted that it was "in retaliation for a comment made about another student" and that he had no intentions of committing the act.
While investigating the first threat, officers were notified of a second set of potential threats regarding a shooting at Friday's football game at Arlin Field. Police say that after the threats could not be validated. Due to the threats, school administrators decided to cancel classes on Friday and move Mansfield Senior's Division III OHSAA playoff matchup to Rocky River High School.
In an email obtained by WKYC Thursday that was sent to parents of students in the Rocky River High School Marching Band, Komperda stated that the game had been moved to Cuyahoga County "due to some issues in Mansfield." When reached for comment, Superintendent Michael Shoaf confirmed the news, noting that both districts worked with the Ohio High School Athletic Association to change the location after "Mansfield shared some concerns" about both safety and reported threats involving the event.
As this is the second round of the postseason, the Tygers were supposed to host the game, as they are seeded fourth in D-III's Region 10 while the Pirates are fifth. According to a post on Rocky River head coach Josh Wells' X page (formerly Twitter), the Pirates will still technically be the "road" team despite being in their home stadium.
Prior to Friday's decision, Rocky River fans would have been sitting in the "away" stands, while Mansfield's fans would be on the "home" side.