Woodland accepts Osborne football game forfeit

Woodland High of Cartersville agreed Wednesday to accept a forfeit in its football game Friday against Osborne, ending a controversy that could have resulted in GHSA sanctions if Osborne refused to play.

Osborne coach Troy Jones wanted the game canceled because he was without eight starters lost to injury and had to tap into the freshman team to replace them.

Osborne is 1-8 this season and lost to Woodland 48-0 in September.

Woodland initially declined the forfeit and notified the Georgia High School Association, which was prepared to fine Osborne if the game was not played.

But Woodland principal Paul Sabin said he did not realize in his first conversation with Osborne’s principal, Steven Miletto, that Osborne’s team was in such bad shape.

“Their principal just told me, ‘We forfeit, congratulations on the win,’ ” Sabin said. “We weren’t aware until I talked to him [again] this morning how depleted or unprepared they were. In no way were we trying to do something to hurt Osborne’s program. We were looking to do something positive for our seniors, our band and our cheerleaders as a last chance of participation.”

Woodland coach Steve Hamilton said it is wrong to think his team was trying to bully Osborne into playing.

“It’s hard for me when my players come in Monday expecting a game and they’re not going to get it,” Hamilton said. “I’ve got one kid 50 yards away from a school rushing record. It’s tough telling him and all the seniors you can’t play.”

Hamilton said he tried to find another opponent with an open date Friday, but failed.

Instead, Woodland will have an intra-squad scrimmage Friday at its home stadium, where the band and cheerleaders also will perform, Hamilton said.

Friday night’s game would have been played at Osborne.

If one team cancels a game without the other’s consent, fines range from $250 to $1,000, according to GHSA bylaws.

Other possible penalties include probation, being placed on non-region status or suspension from the sport.

Osborne coach Jones and principal Miletto did not immediately return calls Wednesday morning.