Brainerd third-year head coach Sammy Seamster Jr. was struggling Thursday to find the right words to tell his football players that their home showdown with rival Howard had been called off for matters out of his team’s control.
Less than 48 hours from Saturday’s planned 11 a.m. kickoff between the Hustlin’ Tigers and the host Panthers, the game was canceled due to “recommendations from law enforcement agencies and principals.” The game had originally been slated for 1 p.m. and then was moved up to 11 a.m. on Wednesday before being canceled altogether a day later.
Seamster’s heart broke for his Brainerd program, which was looking to extend its winning streak in the series against Howard to six games.
“First off, I want to say I completely understand why the district (Hamilton County Schools) made the decision they did,” Seamster shared on social media. “Safety will always be the number one priority. But it doesn’t sit right with me that our boys worked and prepared all winter, spring and summer for 10 games, only to have one stripped away. I have always told them that if you do right, you will be rewarded. So how do I explain to them that they did everything right, yet they are still being punished for something completely out of their control?
“We as a community have to get this fixed!!! Because other games get to go on!! It’s not fair to our boys!!”