Shady Side Academy forfeits football game against Knoch

By: Chris Harlan
Friday, October 6, 2023 | 1:43 PM

Shady Side Academy has forfeited Friday night’s football game against Knoch because of an illness among “several players,” the school announced hours before kickoff.

The contest is a conference game in the Allegheny 6, where Knoch and Shady Side each were 1-0.

“After careful consideration and in consultation with WPIAL, we believe that it is in the best interest of everyone to forfeit tonight’s game,” Shady Side associate athletic director Josh Frechette said in an email.

“We understand the disappointment this cancellation may bring. Our team has been working hard to prepare for the game, and we were looking forward to a great evening of football. Please know that this decision was not taken lightly, and our primary goal is to ensure the well-being of our student-athletes.”

Knoch coach Tim Burchett said he first learned about Shady Side’s concerns Thursday evening, and was notified around 11 a.m. Friday that the game was officially canceled.

The forfeit drops Shady Side to 4-3 overall, 1-1 in the conference. Knoch improves to 6-1, 2-0.

“It wasn’t something they we’re celebrating,” said Burchett, who shared the news with his players at lunch. “It will go down as a win, but the kids want to earn the win on the field. They prepared to win it on the field. It was a shame that it was taken out of the kids’ hands, to be honest. It’s disappointing.”

Burchett said trying to reschedule the game wasn’t a realistic option.

“If they couldn’t play today, how could they play tomorrow or Monday?” Burchett said. “The rest of our season would have to get altered. Feasibility-wise, it wouldn’t work.”

Staff writer Michael Love contributed.

Chris Harlan is a TribLive reporter covering sports. He joined the Trib in 2009 after seven years as a reporter at the Beaver County Times. He can be reached at charlan@triblive.com.

Tags: Knoch, Shady Side Academy