EVERETT, Wash. (WHDH) — High school football teams in Washington state are forfeiting matches against another team in their conference, opting to not play rather than face them.
Archbishop Murphy High School in Everett has outscored opponents 170 points to zero in their first three games this season. Members of the team include Division I college recruits like junior Abe Lucas, who is 6 feet 8 inches tall and weighs 265 pounds. Their last three opponents have refused to play them.
“We made a decision based on the health and welfare of our kids,” said Joey Johnson, the athletic director at Granite Falls High School. Parents also emailed the school calling for the team to forfeit.
“We can’t put our 5-foot-8, 125-pound quarterback up against their nose tackle who happens to be 6 feet 5 inches and weighs over 330 pounds,” said Stacey Morris, a Granite Falls High School parent. “He’s going to put that kid in the hospital.”
Players on Archbishop Murphy said they are just looking forward to the next game they will be able to play. Schools in their conference are asking for Archbishop Murphy to be put in a higher division.
(Copyright (c) 2024 Sunbeam Television. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)