Statesboro High forfeits football game against Jenkins after reports of social media threats

Dennis Knight, Savannah Morning News
·2 min read

Statesboro High has forfeited its football game at Jenkins High School set for Friday night at Memorial Stadium in Savannah after reports of threatening messages on Snapchat surfaced on Friday morning.

The Region 1-5A matchup was set to determine who would be the No. 3 seed coming out of the region for the state playoffs which begin next week. Both teams have locked up spots in the postseason. Jenkins improves to 4-6 overall and 3-2 in region and will be the No. 3 seed after being credited with the win after the forfeit.

Statesboro High School posted an announcement on its school website that the Bulloch County and Savannah Chatham County School System were investigating the threatening messages related to the game. Statesboro officials decided to back out of the game and notified students and parents, the statement said.

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The Jenkins High football team goes through pre-game warm up drills prior to a game with Benedictine at Memorial Stadium earlier this season.
The Jenkins High football team goes through pre-game warm up drills prior to a game with Benedictine at Memorial Stadium earlier this season.

SCCPSS athletic director John Sanders confirmed the game had been called off and the district issued a statement soon after. The statement is below.

"Savannah-Chatham County Public School System (SCCPSS) has been informed by Bulloch County Schools that Statesboro High School administrators have decided to forfeit tonight’s football game between Statesboro and Herschel V. Jenkins High School at Memorial Stadium in Savannah.  Both districts are investigating threatening Snapchat messages that appear to be related to the scheduled football game. As a result, Statesboro High’s administration and athletic leaders have decided that the best course of action is for Statesboro High School to not play in tonight’s game.

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"Statesboro High School administrators were made aware of the alleged social media threat Friday morning and contacted SCCPSS.  While no screenshots of the post have been located to confirm the allegations, an immediate investigation was launched to determine the credibility of the threat.  In tandem with the investigation, SCCPSS Board of Education Police Department developed a plan to bolster the security protocols that are already in place at District Athletic events.  In addition to screenings with metal detectors at entry points, additional officers were scheduled to be in on duty as a precautionary measure.

"While we are disappointed to learn of the decision by Statesboro High School officials to forfeit the game, safety remains the highest priority for all."

Dennis Knight covers sports for the Savannah Morning News. Contact him at Dknight@savannahnow.com. Twitter: @DennisKnightSMN

This article originally appeared on Savannah Morning News: Statesboro forfeits football game with Jenkins due to Snapchat threats