Akron, Ohio, October 8, 2025

News Summary

St. Vincent-St. Mary High School has canceled its Week 8 varsity football game against Harvest Prep due to player injuries and illnesses affecting the team. This marks the second consecutive week that a Greater Akron football team has canceled a game, following Barberton’s recent cancellation. The decision prioritizes the health and safety of the student-athletes, as several players are battling injuries and a bacterial skin infection. STVM is committed to assessing player health weekly while continuing other athletic events as scheduled.

Akron, Ohio

St. Vincent-St. Mary High School (STVM) has canceled its Week 8 varsity football game against Harvest Prep due to a combination of player injuries and illnesses affecting the team. This decision underscores the current challenges faced in high school sports, as it marks the second consecutive week that a Greater Akron football team has canceled a game. Barberton canceled its game against Highland the previous week due to similar circumstances.

The cancellation comes on the heels of a bye week for STVM and follows the previously announced cancellation of Youngstown Ursuline’s season. The STVM administration emphasized that the “health, safety, and well-being of our student-athletes is always our highest priority,” leading to this difficult but necessary decision.

Injuries have plagued the varsity football team, with some players experiencing season-ending conditions. In addition to the injuries, an outbreak of a bacterial skin infection has further affected the team’s roster. This combination of health issues has significantly depleted the team’s numbers and has raised concerns about their ability to compete safely in upcoming games.

Before making the final decision to cancel, STVM consulted with the athletic training staff from Akron Children’s Hospital to assess the situation. The cancellation allows the team to prioritize player recovery and reassess their options for the remainder of the football season. STVM has committed to evaluating the health and fitness of its players weekly to determine when they will be ready to return to the field.

The administration is proactively communicating with upcoming opponents to maintain transparency regarding the team’s status. While the football game has been canceled, all other athletic events and school activities will continue as scheduled. The cancellation has evoked feelings of disappointment, particularly among student-athletes, the marching band, cheerleaders, fans, and families who support the program.

St. Vincent-St. Mary currently holds a winless record of 0-6 this season. The team is slated to play Walsh Jesuit in Week 9, but the road ahead is uncertain due to the ongoing health issues within the roster. The canceled game against Harvest Prep will represent the sixth game that St. Vincent-St. Mary has had to cancel this season for various reasons, raising continued concern over the team’s ability to complete its schedule.

Historically, the Fighting Irish have struggled this season, with several shutout losses in their first games against Nordonia, Perry, and Hudson. Their last game on September 26 against Elyria Catholic ended in a 28-14 loss, adding to the mounting pressures on the team. Additionally, an earlier cancellation against Youngstown Ursuline was attributed to serious allegations of misconduct and ongoing legal issues affecting the program.

Key Statistics of St. Vincent-St. Mary Football Season

• Current record: 0-6
• Cancelled games: 6 (including Harvest Prep and Youngstown Ursuline)
• Last game result: Lost 28-14 against Elyria Catholic
• Next scheduled game: Against Walsh Jesuit in Week 9

Conclusion

The situation reflects broader issues faced by high school sports programs, especially in the context of maintaining player health and safety amidst various challenges. Stakeholders at STVM remain committed to the well-being of their student-athletes while navigating the complexities of the current season.

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Additional Resources

• Beacon Journal
• Wikipedia: High School Football in the United States
• WKYC
• Google Search: St Vincent-St Mary high school football
• SI.com
• Google News: Ohio high school football
• Cleveland 19
• Encyclopedia Britannica: High School Football

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