Monessen forfeits final two football games
By JEREMY SELLEW
jsellew@yourmvi.com
The Monessen City School District announced Wednesday the Monessen football program will forfeit the remaining two games of the 2020 season.
The Greyhounds have now forfeited their final three games against Carmichaels, West Greene (Friday) and California (Oct. 23).
Last week’s game was forfeited due to injuries and players being in concussion protocol. But, this week, high school Principal Eric Manko gave other reasons.
“The Monessen Greyhound Football Program regretfully has decided to forfeit our remaining two games … due to student-athlete ineligibility in regard to grades and attendance and lack of practice participation.”
Manko said it was a tough decision and not taken lightly between himself, head coach Shane Swope, athletic director Gina Naccarato and Superintendent Dr. Leanne Spazak.
Last-ditch efforts were made to encourage student athletes to attend practice and work on eligibility, but those efforts came up short.
“I went to practice and talked to the boys on Monday. I kind of gave them an ultimatum and told them what we needed to do,” Manko said. “When it came to Wednesday’s practice, we didn’t have the 13 players we needed. I give the young kids credit. They showed up, it shows me there is a future.”
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