Tonopah Valley football cancels game, cites 'serious' incident
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Tonopah Valley canceled its varsity football game against Odyssey Insitutute on Friday, Aug. 21, due to a "potentially serious incident involving faculty members and members of the high school football team," according to a statement forwarded to The Republic by district superintendent Dr. Mike Winters.
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The district has initiated an investigation involving law enforcement, the statement said. It did not provide further details about the incident.
"Student safety and well-being remain the highest priorities of Saddle Mountain Unified School District," the statement read.
The Republic messaged Tonopah Valley coach Ramon Robertson seeking comment, but had not heard back as of early Tuesday, Aug. 25.
"Certain faculty members have also been placed on administrative leave pending further investigation," the statement said. "The District initiated contact with local law enforcement and is cooperating fully with its investigation."
Odyssey, located in Buckeye, was contacted about the cancellation roughly 20 minutes before it was to load up its bus to travel to Tonopah Valley for the season opener. The school was not given any clarity as to why it was canceled, only that it was due to an unforseen situation.
Tonopah Valley subsequently canceled the JV game on Monday, Aug. 24, the statement said.
Tonopah Valley's varsity team is scheduled to play at three-time defending 2A champion Scottsdale Christian on Friday, Aug. 28.
"Parents and families have been notified of the situation and the District’s response. We remain committed to transparency, but because this is an active matter involving students and personnel, we cannot provide additional details at this time."
Richard Obert has been covering high school sports since the 1980s for The Arizona Republic. Catch the best high school sports coverage in the state. Sign up for Azcentral Preps Now. And be sure to subscribe to our daily sports newsletters so you don't miss a thing. To suggest human-interest story ideas and other news, reach Obert at [email protected] or 602-316-8827. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter:@azc_obert
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Tonopah Valley football cancels game, cites 'serious' incident