Atholton Football Forfeits First Game, Despite Win

Atholton High School defeated Marriotts Ridge in the team's first football game of the season on Sept. 6, but the school announced Tuesday it will forfeit the game.

The Howard County Public School System issued a statement saying the team held an activity with coaches present before summer practices were allowed under state regulations. The first day teams could practice with coaches present this summer was Aug. 17.


The violation was self reported to the Maryland Public Secondary Schools Athletic Association (MPSAA). According to the HCPSS statement, Atholton informed HCPSS athletic director John Davis about the suspected violation, who later forwarded the report to the MPSAA.

"It's unfortunate that this has occurred, but I have full confidence that the Atholton High School community will respond in the right way," said John Davis, in a statement. "I know everyone is ready to move forward."

"While it is unfortunate that our team will have to forfeit a game, we will take this setback as an opportunity to move forward in a positive way," stated Atholton High School Principal Jennifer Clements.

The forfeit makes Atholton 0-2 heading into a Friday matchup against defending 3A state champions River Hill. The game is at Atholton at 7 p.m.

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