Fight on Field Prompts Encinal High School to Forfeit Island Bowl

The Encinal High School (EHS) varsity football team will forfeit the annual Island Bowl to Alameda High School (AHS) this Friday, October 3, EHS and school district administrators announced yesterday.

The forfeiture is a result of actions that occurred when EHS players fought with players from Center High School (CHS) of Antelope, California and/or left the bench to go onto the field during last Friday’s game.

“We recognize the Island Bowl is part of the fabric of Alameda. We understand the sense of loss many will feel as a result of our decision to forfeit the game,” said EHS Athletic Director Micki Singer. “But, as a community, we need to support each other by holding one another accountable and by taking steps, however difficult, to teach young people to make better choices and to take responsibility for their actions.”

Following a hard (but legal) football play in last Friday’s game, an EHS player responded in an unsportsmanlike manner, leading to a fight on the field. Both benches cleared. All players who left the bench received a minimum of a one game suspension, pursuant to California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) rules. Other involved players from both sides were also ejected.

As a result of the conduct of the Encinal players, the EHS administration, Athletic Department, and Football Program made the joint decision to forfeit this week’s Island Bowl.

In addition to the principle of sportsmanship involved, the EHS team no longer has enough varsity players eligible to field a team. Junior varsity football teams from AHS and EHS, however, will still play Friday night.

“We want this game to be a celebration of high school athletics, our respective schools, and our community,” Singer said.

The JV game will take place at 6 pm at Thompson Field.

Meanwhile, EHS varsity players will perform community service with a local organization devoted to violence prevention. Proceeds from last week’s Center High School game also will be donated by Encinal High School’s Athletic Department and Football Program to provide relief to Alameda residents affected by last week’s arson fires.

Some EHS players will also receive discipline from the school.

“EHS and AUSD administrators believe in restorative justice as a way to come to terms with unfortunate situations like these,” said Interim Superintendent Sean McPhetridge. “We believe young people can acknowledge their mistakes and make amends for the harm caused by their actions. It is our duty as adults to teach them the difference between right and wrong.

“I appreciate how difficult it is to forfeit an Island Bowl,” McPhetridge continued, “but I also know it is our collective responsibility as caring adults to set high expectations for behavior on and off the sports field. I support the efforts of Encinal High School administrators and coaches to help make this a teachable moment for these students.”

Added Board of Education President, Margie Sherratt: “I’m sorry that this type of action needed to be taken, as the Island Bowl is an athletic event that is steeped in Alameda’s history. But as Board President I support the proactive stance taken by the EHS administration with their disciplinary decisions and also in giving these students the important opportunity to make amends.”

—Information submitted by Alameda Unified School District

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