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Tennessee high school football team forfeits playoff game due to lack of players

IMG_8358by: Andy Villamarzo13 hours agoAndy_Villamarzo
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Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images

If you thought forfeits for high school football were only going to take place during the regular season, think again. Now, it’s happening in the Tennessee high school football postseason as well.

According to a report by the Chattanooga Times Free Press, Chattanooga Central Pounders informed the Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association (TSSAA) that they would be forfeiting this week’s Class 3A first round playoff game against Giles County due to a lack of healthy available players.

“There were several factors that went into this decision,” Central principal Dr. Leangela Rogers said via the report. “First and foremost were the number of injuries that the team has sustained, which would leave us putting much younger kids on the field who have limited experience and aren’t ready. That becomes a safety concern.

“Also, the trip would have cost the school between $4,000 to $5,000 to load up the team, cheerleaders and band and travel that far away. That’s a significant cost. We weighed all the factors and decided this was the right decision for our team and our school.”

The Pounders are 1-9 on the season, with their lone victory coming over Howard Tech, 18-12, back on Sep. 26. Despite only having one victory and being shut out four times on the season, Central was still able to find its way into the Tennessee high school football playoffs.

Chattanooga Central will finish the high school football season 1-10 and due to TSSAA rules, the forfeit will force the Pounders to be ineligible for next postseason, per the report.

How to Follow Tennessee High School Football

For Tennessee high school football fans looking to keep up with scores around the nation, staying updated on the action is now easier than ever with the Rivals High School Scoreboard. This comprehensive resource provides real-time updates and final scores from across the Volunteer State, ensuring you never miss a moment of the Friday night frenzy. From nail-biting finishes to dominant performances, the Rivals High School Scoreboard is your one-stop destination for tracking all the high school football excitement across the state of Tennessee.