St. Mary’s football team kicks off the regular season at home in Turpin Stadium Friday night against Abbeville in a game that can be a boost to the Tigers’ power rating, and ultimately, their playoff seeding assuming they reach postseason.
But they will not get a similar boost from their mid-season opponent, the Newman Greenies. Actually, make that their former opponent, the Newman Greenies.
St. Mary’s coach Adam York said in a text message that the Newman School administration would not allow the football team to make the trip to north Louisiana on the heels of a journey to play at Many High School a year ago.
York said St. Mary’s offered to help pay for the trip, but Newman officials declined.
That will leave the Tigers with a Week 5 open date prior to the beginning of district play. It is extremely unusual for a game to be cancelled at this stage, just when the season is beginning, but apparently there’s no recourse.
Meanwhile, Many High School will return its game with Newman, traveling to New Orleans this season. But apparently one look at pine trees and the ride up Interstate 49 was enough for Newman officials.
