While teams around the country have forfeited games due to lack of players, one Colorado high school has will forfeit its upcoming homecoming game for a completely different reason.
Per a report from KRDO News, Air Academy (CO) has forfeited its upcoming game against Lutheran (CO) citing that they could not safely field the team due to a lack of a coaching staff.
The decision comes after KRBO reported that Lutheran was involved in two separate incidents where racist remarks were made in games against Sand Creek (CO) and Rampart (CO).
Following the Sand Creek game on September 24, the Colorado High School Activities Association released the following statement:
"The Colorado High School Activities Association is aware of this serious situation. Obviously,
the initial reports are incredibly alarming, and they deserve our immediate attention and focus. Our office has a responsibility to pull together information from multiple sources, including our member schools. That process is ongoing."
All games between Air Academy and Lutheran that were scheduled for this week have been cancelled, including the junior varsity and freshman games.
While the game has been cancelled and will count as a forfeit loss on Air Academy's record, the school noted in a statement that the rest of the homecoming festivities will go on as planned, including a flag football game against The Classical Academy (CO).
Kickoff for that game is scheduled for 7 p.m. MT.
"We recognize the significance of a Homecoming football game and know this is an important event for our student-athletes, students, families and community," Air Academy Assistant Principal and Athletic Director Dr. Amy Ripperger said in a statement to KRBO. "Our top priority is always providing a safe, supportive and strong environment for our students and community. Thankfully, Homecoming is about much more than one game, and we remain committed to giving our students and community an opportunity to come together Friday night and celebrate Air Academy.
"Our planned Homecoming festivities will continue, including a special flyover and parachute arrival onto the field, as well as a presentation from the Air Academy Class of 1976. To support these activities, we are moving the Air Academy versus TCA flag football game to Friday evening, with kickoff at 7 p.m. This is the newest CHSAA-sanctioned sport, and we look forward to shining the spotlight on these student athletes. We are confident that Friday night will remain an energized celebration of Air Academy where our students can celebrate our school, its traditions and one another."
USA TODAY Sports reached out to the CHSAA to ask about Air Academy's decision to forfeit the game and received the following statement:
"Academy District 20 has informed the CHSAA office that Air Academy High School will not play its scheduled football game against Lutheran High School on Friday," CHSAA Chief Communication Officer Mark Belcher said. "Decisions about whether to compete in a contest rest with our member schools, and questions about the reasons for this decision are best directed to Air Academy and Academy District 20. Under CHSAA bylaws, a forfeit is recorded as a loss for the school that does not play and a win for its opponent.
"Separately, our office continues to gather information regarding the reports involving Lutheran High School. That process is ongoing. If it determines that CHSAA bylaws were violated, any penalties will be determined under those bylaws. We understand the public interest in this, and we want to be as clear as we can about how our process works, even where we can't discuss the specifics of an ongoing review. These reports are serious, and our review of them is ongoing. As part of that process, our office is gathering information from multiple member schools, including their administrators. We don't discuss who we speak with or the specific material we review in matters like this. Getting this right means having the full picture before reaching any conclusions."
With the game now counted as an official loss, Air Academy moves to 3-4 on the year. The Kadets will return to the field on the road October 16 as they travel to Rampart (CO) looking to end a four-game losing streak.
Lutheran is 5-2 and scheduled to play at Coronado (CO) on Thursday, October 15.
Follow Sports Reporter Joe Spears on X at @joe_spears7 or via email: JSpears@usatodayco.com. For additional high school sports coverage, be sure to follow USA TODAY High School Sports on Instagram and X.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Colorado high school forfeits homecoming football game amid investigation into opponent
