Football game between Columbiana Schools and Valley Christian cancelled due to fight, firearm
COLUMBIANA CITY & YOUNGSTOWN: The varsity football game between Columbiana Exempted Village School District and Valley Christian Schools has been cancelled.
According to a live feed alert on the Columbiana Athletics website published around 10 a.m. on Saturday, the game was cancelled due to "unforeseen circumstances at Valley Christian and the football program."
21 Sports has learned there was an "unfortunate situation" at a team practice on Friday, and the game was cancelled at the request of Valley Christian school administrators.
A statement, penned by President Michael Pecchia of Valley Christian Schools, was shared on the school's Facebook page just before 2 p.m. on Saturday, outlining an incident on Friday involving a fight and a firearm.
"At the beginning of our football practice last evening, three of our former students arrived at the practice field to continue a physical altercation that involved a group of our current football players," said Pecchia in the statement.
Pecchia goes on to say that one of the former students went on to retrieve a gun from his car.
"Thankfully, our head coach recognized the former student and confronted him. The young man immediately fled the scene without further incident," said Pecchia.
According to Pecchia, the police arrived on the scene shortly after the former student left, and they are looking for him.
The statement goes on to outline that Valley Christian Schools made the decision out of an abundance of caution for the safety of the community and the Columbiana High School community.
"VCS Administration will take the appropriate disciplinary action against all current involved students," said Pecchia.
The game was originally scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. on Saturday at Liberty High School, located at 1 Leopard Way in Liberty Township.
"A makeup game is to be determined at a later date following the end of the season," as stated in the live feed alert.
Superintendent Donald Mook of Columbiana Exempted Village School District told 21 News that the cancellation was the best decision to move forward.
"I was in the best interest of both schools to proceed this way," said Mook.
Mook went on to say that the game may be rescheduled following the end of the regular season if one or both teams are not competing in the playoffs. Additionally, both sides must have a mutual agreement to participate.
Calls to Valley Christian Schools administrators have not been returned at this time.
