Mike Ridaught
The Trenton Tigers announced today that it has forfeited its playoff game against Newberry due to COVID-19 protocols. It was the second forfeit by a local team this week. On Tuesday, PK Yonge forfeited its game against Pensacola Catholic due to COVID-19 protocols as well.
“Due to circumstances at our school, protocols involved with contact tracing, and the number of kids unavailable for Friday we had to do what we felt was in the best interest of the (currently) healthy/available members of our team,” said Trenton Head Coach Bill Wiles. “This is not the way we wanted to end it. It happened very quickly and is very disappointing.”
The Tigers would have been heading into its postseason with momentum after winning their regular season finale at Lafayette 35-21, and evening their record at 5-5. This would have been the second matchup between Newberry (7-1) and Trenton. In the first game, Newberry rallied to defeat the Tigers 26-23.
Despite the disappointment, Wiles found a silver lining to the 2020 season.
“The blessing is that We did get to play 10 games and our kids went though a lot during those 10 games. They never blinked! While I am disappointed that our season ended as it did, I am very proud of this football team.”
Newberry moves on to the next round of the playoffs next Friday at home against the winner of the Bronson-Wildwood game.