Ohio high school cancels 2nd football game amid police probe

[Omega]

Hazing? Prank gone bad? Criminal assault?

http://www.dispatch.com/sports/20171004 ... lice-probe

A high school in northeastern Ohio is canceling a second football game amid a police investigation into an undisclosed incident involving the football program.

Crestwood High School in the village of Mantua in Portage County has canceled its Friday game against James A. Garfield High School, Superintendent David Toth announced Tuesday.

Last week, just hours before the team’s scheduled game at Mogadore, the school announced it was suspending all football operations immediately following an unspecified incident that is now being investigated by Mantua police and the school district.

Whatever the incident was, it was reported directly by school officials to a Mantua police officer assigned to the school district, and an investigation was started. There were no apparent injuries involved, and no students were hospitalized, according to Mantua police.

This Friday’s game was Crestwood’s homecoming game. Three more games after it are scheduled. Toth declined to say when or if games would be played, or if the season would be canceled.

“We’re just making sure we do a thorough investigation,” Toth said. “After we are done, we can make a determination.”

Mantua Police Chief Harry Buchert said Monday that, as far as he knew, “no one has gone to the hospital” as a result of the situation.

“We’re still very much in the preliminary stages to see if a crime has been committed,” he said. At this time, the investigation is “mostly being handled internally by the school system,” Buchert said.

On Monday evening, Toth defended the district’s refusal to offer any details on the situation asking “that everyone be mindful of the fact that our comments are limited by state and federal privacy laws.”

“As in real life, the actions our student-athletes choose to take will result in direct consequences,” Toth said in the only sentence of a two-page release that was bolded, later adding, “Whether our student-athletes play under the ‘Friday Night Lights’ this week ... next week ... or the rest of the season, should be the least of the concerns facing our student-athletes today.”

Last week, the suspension was announced — lasting “until such time as the Superintendent announces otherwise.” Shortly thereafter, the Mantua Police Department announced it had been contacted by the school district in reference to “an incident that was brought to their attention.”

On Saturday, per another Toth statement, the district held a “brief informational meeting with parents of high school football players only.”

[Buddy Garrity]

That wouldn't happen in Steubenville!!