Just one day before the 2020 season was to start in Pasco County, another team has had to pull the plug on its first two regular-season games.
On Thursday afternoon, Land O’ Lakes High announced that scheduled games at home against Mitchell for Friday night and an away game against Tampa Catholic for Friday, September 18 have all been canceled after several players were required to quartine due to COVID-19.
Gator Football Fans – we regret to inform you that we have been forced to cancel the football games scheduled this week and next – both JV and varsity. Several players have been required to quarantine.@LOLHSathletics @LOLHSTDClub @jwmhs_schultz
— Land O' Lakes High School (@LOLHSPrincipal) September 10, 2020
Mitchell followed up almost immediately with the news and would be working on the next steps for purchased game tickets which have been purchased through digital ticketing options that most schools around the state are offering as an alternative method to avoiding lines and reducing interactions with people.
#MustangNation regrets to announce that LOLHS has been forced to cancel the football games scheduled this week – both JV and varsity – as several @LOLHSathletics football players have been required to quarantine. We are working on next steps for purchased game tickets.
— J.W. Mitchell HS (@JWMHS) September 10, 2020
As such Mitchell head football coach Andy Schmitz already has put an all-call out looking for a possible game tomorrow night to replace the lost game with Land O’ Lakes.
Mitchell needs a game in a hurry…. if anyone wants to play contact Coach Schmitz! #flhsfb @FACACoach @FHS7v7A @HSFBamerica https://t.co/ZylYtTYk4y
— FloridaHSFootball.com (@FlaHSFootball) September 10, 2020
The cancelation becomes part of a handful of games that have been canceled as a result of COVID-19 positives and quarantines among athletes.
Stay tuned for further updates regarding this story.