A football game between Chapel Hill High School and East Chapel Hill High School was cancelled just hours before kickoff last Friday due to an apparent threat to the safety of players and attendees.
During 7th period, principal Charles Blanchard announced that a few students had informed school officials about a perceived threat and commended the students for their concern for the safety of others.
“This afternoon, several students came forward, describing what they heard as a threat involving the safety of those present at tonight’s football game,” Blanchard later wrote in a schoolwide email, noting that it was in “everyone’s best interest to postpone the game. “We appreciate the students who had the courage to speak up.”
Students were dismissed from school at the usual time, but all extracurricular activities were cancelled.
Several football players expressed disappointment that their game against their cross-town rivals was postponed.
“Honestly, Friday night lights is the best part of my week, and the news devastated me,” sophomore player Nathan Kenyon said.
District Chief Communications Officer Andy Jenks reported Friday evening that local law enforcement had “identified the individual believed to be responsible for what other students interpreted as a threat,” but clarified that the threat was not perceived to be “credible.”
The game has been rescheduled to Monday, October 10. Tickets are still available for purchase, and those who bought a ticket to the game prior to rescheduling will be allowed entry using the old ticket.
“We were all very disappointed because we were prepared to dominate East,” senior offensive lineman Beckett Yates said. “We know they were scared to play us, but I guess it is just going to have to wait.”
