The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
No OHSAA sanctions for RH
Spartans walked off vs. Kirtland after injury
Against Kirtland on Sept. 21, Gorham pulled his team from the field, loaded a bus and returned to the school at the 6-minute, 37-mark of the first quarter and Kirtland holding a 13-0 lead.
OHSAA spokesperson Tim Stried said later that night Kirtland would be credited with a victory and that it would not go down as a forfeit. The Spartans arrived for the game with 17 players, compared to the Hornets’ 74. When a Richmond Heights player left the game with a concussion, that’s when the issue of continuing the game began from several parents.
“When parents are saying to not put their child (in the game), you have no options,” said Willis. “As a school district, I’m not telling a parent, ‘I’m putting your child (in the game).’ Because our numbers are so small, when you have four parents say, ‘Don’t put my child in,’ then you don’t have enough players to line up.”
Willis said a rash of concussions on the team has been a problem this season. Including the concussed player Sept. 21, there have been four other instances of the injury.
“The five concussions hurt, and you have to step back and realize that at some point you don’t have enough players,” said Willis.
The decision by Gorham to pull his team off the field has brought up the issue of precedent without penalty.
“I believe it’s case by case,” said Willis. “I characterize it as a learning situation for all. Hindsight is 20/20, and the things we could have done to ensure a win-win, meaning everybody wins, is that we could have talked to Kirtland before the game to see if we could possibly play their (junior varsity) or their freshmen team.”
Willis said despite low numbers this season, there has been no talk of eliminating the football program.
“Our football program will continue, and we will continue to build it,” she said.
On Sept. 25, the Spartans practiced with 14 players, according to an assistant coach. Gorham was asked before practice how many healthy players he expected against Wickliffe, and said “As of right now, about 12.”
When asked if a similar situation came about vs. the Blue Devils that did against Kirtland, Gorham said, “I appreciate (the question), but I can’t go there.”
Gorham’s comments were made to The News-Herald while saying all questions concerning the matter should be directed to Willis. He did say the game against the Blue Devils on Sept. 28 would be played.