Cumberland freshman football team forfeits game vs. La Salle

CUMBERLAND – The Cumberland High freshman football season that was halted following a school-imposed one-game suspension is back in business.

The 2016 campaign resumes this Thursday afternoon at La Salle Academy, Cumberland Athletic Director Matt Campanelli confirmed on Tuesday. Last Thursday’s freshman contest was forfeited and a practice ban put was in place and remained until it was lifted Tuesday afternoon in wake of a strong stance taken by school officials.

“It was just a one-game suspension for unrelated incidents of conduct,” said Campanelli. “It was a continued pattern and that was the problem.”

Plenty of warnings were given in advance of the suspension.

“We had talked to them after an incident and said the patterns we’re seeing … the next step would be dismissal from the team,” Campanelli said. “Or if the problems were spread around to enough kids, we might lose a game or the season.

“We just felt that we had to send a message and move forward from there.”

No Cumberland players were kicked off the team as a result of the one-game ban. According to the roster published on the Rhode Island Interscholastic League’s website, 38 players comprise this season’s Cumberland freshman roster. The squad also features three captains.

The Clippers will carry an 0-4 record into their next game. After Thursday, the team will host Westerly on Oct. 20 and conclude the regular season with a road game at Barrington on Oct. 27.

“There are good kids and good players on the team,” Campanelli said. “At the end of the day, it was a message that had to be delivered.”

Principal Alan Tenreiro conveyed the news in person to the Cumberland ninth-grade football team and notified the parents via email.

“We wanted to make sure there was still a season so we could move forward in a positive light,” Campanelli said. “We’ve lost some kids over the past few weeks for various reasons, but now we feel there’s a good launching point and we’ll get through it.”