Friday's high school football face-off was unexpectedly sidelined when reports of a gunfire incident led to the game cancellation between Woodmore and John Adams College and Career Academy in Cleveland. WTOL reported that the Woodmore Local Schools Superintendent, Dr. Mary Schaeffer, indicated via social media that the altercation involving a discharged firearm occurred just as the Woodmore football team arrived at the southeast Cleveland campus. Law enforcement quickly responded to the scene, prompting an abrupt escort for the team back to their bus for a safe return to Elmore.
Ensuring no one was harmed, the emergency response by the police was met with no reported injuries, as per information shared by Dr. Schaeffer. Visiting cheerleaders from Woodmore were rerouted back home before reaching the campus, avoiding the incident scene entirely. As Woodmore grapples with the harmful effects of this violent scare, the administration does not leave its students to navigate the turmoil on their own. According to a statement obtained by WKYC, Superintendent Schaeffer pledged that support would be provided to the players this coming Monday.
The incident outside the school's perimeter, involving two students in a fight, resulted in a firearm being discharged, informed Principal Brian Evans. The fearsome sound of a gunshot, when students should be reveling in the sportsmanship of a football game, deals a blow to the sense of security a school environment is entrusted to uphold. In the face of adversity, though, Woodmore's leadership repeatedly emphasized the safety of their charges, with Schaeffer proclaiming gratitude for the swift action of law enforcement and school officials in the throes of the crisis.
In the aftermath of Friday's cancellation, the focus shifts to the mental well-being of those involved. News 5 Cleveland noted the school's plan to host a meeting with football players to provide support and answer any looming questions. While athletic competition is a pivotal high school experience, it pales in comparison to ensuring students and staff are safe and feel secure within their educational ecosystem.
