YOUNGSTOWN  Two more high school football teams have dropped their scheduled game against Ursuline.

Thursday afternoon, Austintown Fitch High School confirmed that it canceled the scheduled game against Ursuline that was set for September 26. 

The statement reads, "Due to the allegations involving the Ursuline Football Program, Austintown Fitch will respectfully not be playing Game 6 against Ursuline on Friday, September 26 at Greenwood Chevrolet Falcon Stadium. This decision was made with careful consideration and in the best interest of our Austintown students and community."

St. Vincent St. Mary High School in Akron alsocanceled its October 3 game with Ursuline High School, according to school leadership.

The decision not to play the Fighting Irish follows Ursuline football players, coaches, administrators and the Diocese in a hazing lawsuit stemming from a team trip. A second lawsuit was filed Wednesday against a football player, school administrators and the Diocese over an alleged assault that happened in 2023.

This is the second game canceled over the last 48 hours as Warren G. Harding made the announcement that they decided against playing UHS.

"In light of recent allegations against the Ursuline Football Program and a second Federal lawsuit filed today, the Warren G. Harding Raiders, respectfully, will not be playing Ursuline in Game 5 scheduled for September 19," Warren City Schools Superintendent Steve Chiaro said Wednesday.

Ursuline President Fr. Richard Murphy released a statement Wednesday about the two lawsuits.

In the statement, Murphy said school leadership acted promptly and followed relevant policies.

"While we have no intention of trying these cases in the media or in public, we look forward to presenting a vigorous legal defense. We are secure, based on everything we currently know, that our school leadership followed relevant policies," the letter said.

The loss of two more games will almost certainly force the Fighting Irish to miss the Ohio High School Athletic Association playoffs. Teams must play at least eight games to qualify.

The Ursuline football team is currently 2-0 and on a bye this week. There are only three opponents left on the schedule who have not canceled - Cardinal Mooney, Chaney and Walsh Jesuit.

Farrell first cancelled its game against Ursuline, followed by Warren Harding and now Austintown Fitch and Akron's St. Vincent-St. Mary. 

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