DUVALL, Wash. - The hits keep coming, figuratively not literally, against the Archbishop Murphy High School football team. Late Tuesday Cedarcrest school officials made the decision to forfeit its October 28 game against the Wildcats, becoming the fifth school to do so.
As of Wednesday morning, Cedarcrest still has Archbishop Murphy on the football schedule but it does not have the game on the main school page.
Only one more game of the regular season is left for Archbishop Murphy and that game is against Olympic High School in Bremerton on October 21. So far it appears that school has committed to playing.
Archbishop Murphy has not played a game in three weeks. Other teams have cited the forfeitures to player safety and competitive disadvantages. Archbishop Murphy is a private school and has a top-rated football team.
Archbishop Murphy was scheduled to play in their homecoming game this Friday, but Cedar Park Christian School forfeited. The school announced the homecoming game will continue, but alumni will be suiting up instead of students.
The Riverview School District released the following statement regarding Cedarcrest's decision to forfeit:
Dear Cedarcrest Community:
Cedarcrest High School Forfeits Archbishop Murphy Football Game
After completing a thorough review of whether to play of forfeit the October 28th Cedarcrest - Archbishop Murphy football game, the Riverview School District has decided to forfeit. The review included WIAA (Washington Interscholastic Activities Association) policies; other Cascade Conference School District decisions; and conversations with the Cedarcrest Administration, Athletic Director, and Coaches. The reason for forfeiture is a competitive imbalance between their student-athletes and ours. Our district's number one priority is the health and safety of our students within our mission to "educate children."
Sincerely and respectfully,
Dr. Anthony L. Smith
Superintendent
Riverview School District
