Akron, OH, 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 a bacterial infection. This marks the sixth cancellation for the team this season, which currently holds an 0-6 record. The school prioritizes the health of its athletes and plans to evaluate players weekly. Despite this setback, other athletic events will continue as scheduled.
Akron, OH – 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 was made following a challenging period for the Fighting Irish, who now have an 0-6 record for the season.
The cancellation highlights a concerning trend in local high school football, as this is the second straight week a team in the Greater Akron area has been forced to cancel a game. Last week, Barberton also abandoned its matchup against Highland due to similar health concerns. STVM’s announcement comes on the heels of a bye week and follows the earlier cancellation of Youngstown Ursuline’s season.
The administration at STVM stated that the health, safety, and well-being of their student-athletes is the highest priority. Several players on the varsity football team are dealing with injuries, some of which are deemed season-ending. In addition to the injuries, there has been a reported outbreak of a bacterial skin infection among the players. These health issues have significantly depleted the team’s roster, making it unsafe for them to compete.
Before making the decision to cancel the game, the school consulted with the Akron Children’s Hospital athletic training staff to evaluate the situation thoroughly. With the cancellation, the team can now focus on recovery and reassess their roll for the remainder of the season. STVM indicated that they will continue to evaluate the players’ health weekly to determine readiness for future games.
Despite the cancellation of the football game, all other athletic events and school activities at STVM will proceed as scheduled. The school will maintain communication with upcoming opponents to ensure transparency regarding their situation. The administration expressed disappointment in having to cancel the game, recognizing the impact it has on the athletes, marching band, cheerleaders, and their supportive community of fans and families.
The Fighting Irish are scheduled to play Walsh Jesuit in Week 9. The canceled game against Harvest Prep marks the sixth cancellation for St. Vincent-St. Mary this season, which has largely been troubled by challenges on and off the field. Prior to this, the Fighting Irish faced multiple shutout losses in their opening games against various teams, including Nordonia, Perry, and Hudson. Their last game occurred on September 26, where they lost to Elyria Catholic with a score of 28-14. Earlier in October, STVM had to cancel another game against Ursuline due to a scandal involving several federal lawsuits and allegations of serious misconduct.
Key Features of STVM Football Season
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Current Record | 0-6 |
| Games Canceled This Season | 6 |
| Upcoming Opponent | Walsh Jesuit |
| Last Game Date | September 26 |
| Last Game Result | Lost 28-14 to Elyria Catholic |
FAQ
Why was the STVM football game canceled?
The game was canceled due to a combination of player injuries and a bacterial skin infection affecting several athletes on the team.
How many games has STVM canceled this season?
St. Vincent-St. Mary has canceled six games this season due to various reasons including injuries and illness.
What is the current record of the STVM football team?
The team currently holds an 0-6 record this season.
When is STVM’s next football game scheduled?
STVM is scheduled to play Walsh Jesuit in Week 9.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
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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