‘It’s sad it’s come to this’: As fighting at high school games continues, forfeits become part of the season

This season, it has also been about fighting, on the field, in the stands and after the games.

And now it has cost two schools one of their chances to compete.

Officials from Cheektowaga and Kenmore East on Tuesday announced that they would forfeit their scheduled games this weekend as punishment for a brawl that happened during a game on Friday.

“Due to the behavior of players on the field during Friday’s varsity football game between Cheektowaga Central High School and Kenmore East High School, referees ended the game during the fourth quarter of play. In partnership, both school districts investigated and have made the joint decision that both teams will forfeit their competitions this next weekend,” a joint statement from the districts said. “The Cheektowaga Central School District and Kenmore-Town of Tonawanda Union Free School District maintain the highest expectations for conduct from all student-athletes. Both school districts agree that this behavior will never be tolerated.”

The incident was one in a string of on-field altercations last weekend, which followed earlier fights that occurred between fans of other schools. The trend has been playing out across the country with fights and brawls in Missouri to Maryland to North Carolina to California to Nevada. An article in the New York Post last month began, “From Friday night lights to Friday night fights.”

“It’s sad it’s come to this and it’s going on across Western New York, unfortunately,” said Kenmore West coach John Haynes.

Reasons for the altercations can be numerous, but experts are quick to note that today’s high school students had their formative years interrupted by the Covid-19 pandemic and remote learning.

“Many people are recovering, both academically and socially. It requires time to heal and recover,” said Jaekyung Lee, professor of…