Lew-Port forfeits contest with Iroquois due to lack of eligible players

Lewiston-Porter entered training camp with only 21 players on the roster, and now, at the halfway point of the regular season, must forfeit a contest.

In an announcement made by Section VI Wednesday, Lew-Port decided not to host Iroquois in a Class B matchup Friday due a lack of eligible players.

The news regarding the Lancers came hours after Burgard/Performing Arts announced it was scrapping the rest of the season due to, according to the Section VI notice, “low numbers and a rash of injuries.”

Lew-Port head coach Derek Tracy said the cancellation was “unfortunate” but also a “small blip” and expects the team to take the field for its road contest at 6:30 p.m. Sept. 29 at Lake Shore. Saturday, the Lancers lost to Maryvale, 44-0, and had four different starters leave the game at different points, due to, as Tracy described “some bumps and bruises” and a concussion.

At one point, Tracy admitted he wasn’t sure if he would have had a full team to play the second half against the Flyers.

“It’s unfortunate anytime you have to cancel a game when you only play eight regular season games, it’s tough,” Tracy said. “... We decided to see what the situation was on Monday. And then we were going to make a decision from there. So, Tuesday morning came, I talked to (Lewiston-Porter athletic director Brad Halgash) and we decided to shut it down this week.”

In Monday’s practice, Tracy said the Lancers only had 13 of their 22 players suited up to face the Chiefs but he also noted the numbers are slowly growing for the program, as he had called six players up from the JV level.

Despite the now 0-4 record, Lew-Port was only a few plays away from defeating Cleveland Hill on Sept. 8 but lost to 18-14. Tracy said despite this latest challenge, he’s been impressed that his players haven’t quit on the season.

“They’re still coming out there every day,” Tracy said. “They’re still eager to get better. They want to get out on the field just as bad as I want to get on the field. It says a lot to their character. And this is a good group of kids.”

Following the cancellation, Lew-Port will not play at home again until 7 p.m. Oct. 12 against Dunkirk at Blakeslee Stadium in Youngstown.