The Lakeshore High School Football season has officially come to an end. In a letter to players and parents, the district announced that they will be opting out of the remainder of the playoffs.
The letter said that due to the last minute decision to resume the MHSAA football playoffs leading into the holidays presented several challenges for the district, coaches, and student-athletes in the program. Along with the safety of the student athletes, two other major challenges were families being out of town at this time and also the implementation of the pilot COVID-19 testing program. As of late yesterday, the school district had not received any guidance or details on the testing.
The letter went on to state that, based on discussions with players, they will not be able to safely field a team on January 2, 2021. When the team met on Monday, it was determined that twelve of the twenty-two starting positions from this fall’s team will be unfilled for reasons ranging from family commitments, to injury, to concerns about a testing protocol that has yet to be defined. Athletic Director Greg Younger, Principal Jeff Yauchstetter, and Superintendent Phil Freeman stated “We fully respect each player’s and family’s decisions. To prepare other athletes to step into these roles would take nothing short of a miracle over the allotted two weeks of practice.”
Because of the various factors, the school district had been put in the very uncomfortable position to have to make the difficult decision.
Younger, Yauchstetter, and Freeman concluded the letter by saying “Our Lakeshore High School Football team had a stellar season despite unprecedented challenges presented by the pandemic. We are proud of your accomplishments, which includes winning seven of nine games and a District title. You will forever be remembered for your stalwart enthusiasm and dedication to Lancer Football.”
