The United Lions football team has forfeited its game with the Ligonier Valley Rams that was scheduled for this Saturday, September 7 at the former Laurel Valley football field.
The announcement was made on Ligonier Valley’s official Twitter page.
The forfeited game was to be played as a “throwback game” between the New Florence Wolverines (Ligonier Valley) and the Armagh Lions (United), as part of the celebration of New Florence’s sesquicentennial.
The Lions finished Friday night’s game with Blairsville with just 14 players.
In statements today by United coach Kevin Marabito and Ligonier Valley coach Roger Beitel:
Marabito: “It was a very difficult decision, but one that had to be made. It was made tougher due to the game being played at Laurel Valley HS, where I have so many fond memories. My father and other family members were going to join us for what would have been a special day. We certainly wish we were not in this situation, and moving forward we will continue to assess the state of our program and the balance of the 2019 season.”
Beitel: “We are very disappointed that we will not be playing a football game this week. It’s disappointing for our community, especially the town of New Florence, our players, and our district as a whole. We were excited for a great weekend in the Valley. This is the third forfeit our senior players have experienced in their careers.”
Beitel had planned to pay tribute to legendary Laurel Valley coach Jerry Page at the game, even running plays from Page’s own playbook, and recreating the famous Laurel Valley walk down the hill from the school to the field.
Ligonier Valley is scheduled to return to action on September 13 at Saltsburg. United is scheduled to play host to Penns Manor that same night.
