CINCINNATI — Six high school football games involving Cincinnati Public Schools programs have adjusted kickoff times this weekend amid repeated gun violence in the area.
"Due to threats this school year and community violence, Cincinnati Public Schools is making adjustments to many of its athletics games," Cincinnati Public Schools said in a statement to WCPO 9 Wednesday night. "The district prioritizes the safety and well-being of its students and staff. Out of an abundance of caution, games will be moved to earlier start times or days."
The CPS athletic department formally announced the changes as Week 6 of the football season begins Thursday:
- Hughes (2-3) plays Western Hills (0-5) at 5 p.m. Thursday at Withrow. The game had originally been scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Thursday at Stargel Stadium.
- Gamble Montessori (0-5) plays Bellevue (2-1) at 5 p.m. Friday at Western Hills. The game was originally scheduled for 7 p.m. Friday.
- Aiken (3-1) plays Woodward (0-4) at 10 a.m. Saturday at Stargel Stadium. The game was originally scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Friday.
- Walnut Hills (1-4) plays host to Loveland (1-4) at 6 p.m. Friday, an hour earlier than originally scheduled.
- The Clark Montessori (3-2) versus New Miami (4-1) game is scheduled for 6 p.m. Friday at Withrow.
- Taft (4-1) plays Withrow (0-5) at 2 p.m. Saturday at Stargel Stadium. The game was originally scheduled for 1 p.m. Saturday. Taft is No. 3 in the Division IV, Region 16 computer points standings.
CPS Athletic Director Josh Hardin said that he expects these changes will affect the rest of high school football season.
“We really wanted to do what was best and safest for our student-athletes, our parents, our school community, and still give our kids the opportunity to participate in the games," said Hardin.
Hardin said part of the reason for the changes is that an earlier start time means an earlier end time where the sun will still be up.
We asked people if they thought the change, even if it’s slight, would make a difference.
“I think so ... it’s still daylight so hopefully people aren’t dumb enough to do knucklehead stuff in the daylight, but who knows," said Jim Engle, a former CPS teacher and track coach.
Aiken coach Harry McCall was informed Wednesday morning of the change to the Falcons’ schedule this week. His message to the team is to stay positive and allow for flexibility with the adjusted kickoff time.
McCall said the Falcons plan to use the additional preparation time for another walk-through and another practice.
“We’re going to use it to our advantage,” McCall said.
The Falcons, ranked No. 8 in the Division II, Region 8 computer points standings, have an experienced team and are determined to succeed regardless of the situation, McCall said.
The top 16 teams in each region qualify for the Ohio High School Athletic Association postseason. The top eight teams in each region at the end of the regular season Oct. 27 are able to host first-round games starting Nov. 1.
Shroder (4-1) at Talawanda (1-4) remains at 7 p.m. Friday. Shroder is tied with Urbana for No. 5 in the Region 16 standings.
The Greater Cincinnati high school football community has experienced multiple schedule changes this season due to gunshots or a perceived threat of violence near various venues.
North College Hill had to postpone its second game of the season Sept. 20 after an incident involving gunshots near its stadium with two minutes left before halftime of its contest against Woodward.
North College Hill made other schedule adjustments after its Sept. 6 home game against Cincinnati Country Daywas halted in the third quarter due to gunshots fired near an apartment complex across the street from the North College Hill stadium.
The Sept. 12 game with Batavia and Shroder scheduled for Stargel Stadium was postponed after a shooting near Taft High School shortly after school was dismissed.
The Bellevue football game scheduled for Sept. 14 at Lynn Camp High School in Corbin, Ky., was canceled due to a manhunt for a suspect in a shooting on I-75 in Laurel County Sept. 7.
On Monday, Cincinnati Police Chief Teresa Theetge dropped in unannounced at a Cincinnati Public School Board meeting Monday night to ask the district to provide more help for officers trying to cut down on crimes involving youth.
Fraternal Order of Police President Ken Kobler told us he shares the chief's frustrations and that a solution will need to be a team effort.
“I don't know exactly what the answer is but what’s going on right now just can’t be accepted, so we’ve got to get everyone together to find a solution,” Kobler said.
On Tuesday CPS told WCPO that they are working on the issue but they do have limitations on what they can do.
As far as high school games, Hardin said they are just focused on football and don’t know yet if it will affect other sports when their season comes.
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