Summit County faced an unexpected timeout this week when Revere High School canceled its upcoming football game against Akron Garfield High School. The decision to call off Friday night's game, as announced by Revere High School Principal Doug Faris, came without an immediate explanation, leaving the community hanging until further details emerged. Fans were left to grapple with the letdown via a Facebook post, in which Revere Local Schools conveyed apologies for the unforeseen inconvenience, as reported by Cleveland19.
In a subsequent release, however, the actual reason for the game's cancellation surfaced, two confirmed cases of Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease (HFMD) among Revere's football team. Despite these cases, Revere officials noted that Akron Garfield made the unilateral decision not to play the Minutemen. In a joint statement, Revere athletic director Don Seeker and principal Doug Faris said, “We are working to reschedule the Hall of Fame event and Revere Youth Night for a date later in the football season,” according to a Cleveland.com article. Notably, this is the second instance of a game cancellation in Summit County within two weeks due to HFMD concerns, sparking a regional health alert among athletic programs.
Ever diligent, Revere's administration had already cleared the affected players to participate, following medical advice. "Our high school administration and athletic director have worked very hard to make this game possible," Revere Local Schools Superintendent Dan White emphasized, noting the rigorous health measures in place. However, the opposing team's reluctance underscored the contagious nature of HFMD, which can prompt fever, sore throat, and rashes, and is easily spread in close-contact environments like sports teams. "Out of an abundance of caution, we are taking this proactive measure," Michelle Marquess-Kearns, executive director of school leadership for Akron Public Schools, declared, as highlighted in a FOX8 News report.
The cancellation has prompted Akron Public Schools to petition the Ohio High School Athletic Association for a "no contest" ruling on the game, which could shield both teams from assuming a loss or win on their season records. Joseph Vassalotti, Akron Public Schools Athletic Coordinator, described the situation as a "tough call for everyone involved, especially our athletes and their families who have worked so hard for this game," according to FOX8 News. The decision, he argued, while disappointing, places student health at the forefront, emphasizing, “We know how much this game means to our players, but the health of our students and our opponents must come first.” Revere and Akron are now looking ahead, hoping to find a new date to continue their storied athletic rivalry on the field, where the real action belongs—turning their sights to recovery, and the games yet to be played.
