Coast football team forfeits game after player tests positive for COVID-19
The Long Beach High School football team’s Friday home game against Gautier has been called off and the entire team has been asked to quarantine after one of its players tested positive for COVID-19.
The Bearcats will forfeit the Region 4-5A game against Gautier because of a rule set by the Mississippi High School Activities Association where a team is forced to forfeit a region contest if it is prevented from playing due to COVID-19.
Long Beach School District announced the game’s cancellation Friday morning.
“Tonight’s varsity football game between Long Beach and Gautier has been canceled due to the necessity of following MDH and MHSAA guidelines as related to a positive Covid-19 test result of a student-athlete,” the statement said.
Long Beach School District community relations liaison Leigh Anne Biggs told the Sun Herald later Friday that the district “is following all CDC guidelines and quarantining these students.”
Coach Ryan Ross confirmed to the Sun Herald that his entire team has been asked to quarantine.
Long Beach will drop to 1-3 overall and 0-1 in Region 4-5A. Gautier improves to 2-1 and 1-0.
Friday night’s Sacred Heart-Resurrection game also was called off after a positive COVID-19 test prevented Sacred Heart from playing. RCS improves to 4-0 and 3-0 in Region 4-1A.
Earlier this week, Pass Christian’s game against Perry Central was canceled due to COVID-19 issues at Perry Central.
This story was originally published September 25, 2020 at 10:31 AM.
