High school football: Highland suddenly on bye after Barberton cancels Friday's game

GRANGER TWP. — The on-again, off-again saga of the Highland-Barberton football game finally reached a conclusion while the Hornets were practicing Wednesday afternoon. Undefeated, state-ranked Highland (6-0, 3-0) won't play anyone on homecoming Friday after the Magics (1-5, 1-2) backed out of their Suburban League American Conference game due to a lack of players. After trading video with Barberton and game-planning Saturday, Sunday and Monday, Hornets coach Mike Gibbons was informed after practice Monday that Barberton had canceled the game. Officials from both schools met Tuesday morning and initially agreed to a modified format of a full-time running clock, eight-minute quarters and limited first-string playing time — the latter is not enforceable by OHSAA rules — but that deal fell through. SL Commissioner Keith Walker called for a Zoom meeting at 11:15 a.m. Wednesday to restart negotiations, giving Highland optimism that the game would be played. Barberton never showed up. According to OHSAA bylaws, the game will be declared a no contest. That means the Hornets' Division II, Region 6 computer ratings will eventually receive a slight increase, as they will be divided by nine games without Barberton's record instead of by 10 with Barberton's record. That is important because the higher-seeded team hosts through the regional semifinals in the OHSAA's new 12-team playoff format. Highland is currently ranked first in Region 6 but could receive late pushes from No. 2 Avon (5-1) and No. 3 Wadsworth (6-0). "I feel bad for the kids, No. 1," Gibbons said. "Not only the football players — obviously the football players you feel bad for — but it's also homecoming weekend, so you feel bad for the student body and the community." Barberton, which is 5-5 against Highland since rejoining the SL in 2015, cited safety concerns due to a low player count and sent out a press release Wednesday that it is hopeful to play next week against Revere (4-1, 3-0). Video of a 33-29 loss to Roosevelt last week showed the Magics with approximately 40 players on the final drive of the game. Immediately following Barberton's no-show to the Zoom meeting Wednesday morning, Highland athletic director Jonathan Bailey sent out feelers to see if anyone else could play. While winless St. Vincent-St. Mary was not approached, state-ranked Archbishop Hoban (5-1) declined due to multiple players using the open week to visit colleges — the Knights also played archrival Walsh Jesuit last week and square off with D-IV power Glenville next week — and defending D-III state champion Columbus Bishop Watterson (6-0) passed due to the quick turnaround. Watterson then informed Highland that defending D-V state champion Ironton (5-1) might be available despite having a scheduled game against Uniontown (Pa.). Ironton initially was receptive to the idea of traveling more than 3½ hours to Granger Township but called back Bailey during Highland's practice Wednesday to decline. Highland will try to make the most of the awkward situation by holding a community night in place of a football game from 7-9 p.m. Along with a traditional homecoming ceremony, marching band performance and the Highland Alumni Hall of Fame induction, there will be three powderpuff games, two intra-squad youth scrimmages and a fireworks show. "We have alumni weekend, we have hall of fame weekend, so there's people flying in for this that you feel terrible for," Gibbons said. "Obviously, it hits the football program, but it definitely hits everyone else. It should be a good week of celebration. We're still going to do a celebration Friday night, make the most of the situation and show what a great school district we are." Outside of the COVID-19 fiasco of 2020, this will represent Highland's first regular-season bye since Oct. 19, 1957. Heavy rainfall made Medina Memorial Stadium, which the school often rented before Highland Stadium was erected, unplayable for an SL game against Green. Contact Albert Grindle at (330) 721-4043 or agrindle@medina-gazette.com.