Chichester backs out of football game with Academy Park

The Academy Park football team was denied the opportunity to resume its season Monday evening after host school Chichester decided it wouldn’t play the game out of concern for player and fan safety.

Chichester claimed Tuesday that the game never was rescheduled to Monday in the first place. According to student activities director Paul Amand, there never was an agreement to move the game to Chichester after it was postponed last Friday and Saturday.

Chichester’s decision was in part a reaction to recent events at Academy Park. Gunshots erupted following the Knights’ season opener Aug. 27, leaving eight-year-old Fanta Bility dead and reportedly several others wounded, including her sister. Then last Thursday, the Southeast Delco School District acted on an allegation of a threat made on Academy Park High School grounds. The district shut down all classes and activities for Friday and the ensuing weekend.

Thus, the game scheduled for Saturday between Chichester and host AP was postponed. It was subsequently rescheduled for Chichester Monday evening at 7, according to Academy Park. Apparently, Chichester school officials had second thoughts about sending their varsity and junior varsity teams on the field to play against the Knights, and chose not to reschedule the game, even though AP coaches and players believed the game was occur.

A source familiar with the decision said Monday that Chichester officials were concerned they couldn’t obtain necessary security (i.e. township police) for  Monday’s game at  Apichella Field. It’s worth noting there has been no link uncovered between either the tragedy in Sharon Hill Aug. 27 and/or the potential school threat last Thursday with members of Academy Park’s football team.

Academy Park was said to be agitated by the fact that Chichester scheduled a junior varsity game against Marple Newtown after opting out against the Knights. The following comments were issued on the AP football team’s Twitter account:

“Forward questions to @Chi_Athletics. Academy Park was prepared to play.”

“Chi JV will host Marple tonight, but not Academy Park?!? Shameful.”

“This isn’t fair to your players or ours.”

Academy Park head football coach and athletic director Jason Vosheski sent a text to the Daily Times Monday afternoon simply saying, “(Chichester) didn’t want to play.”

Email and phone messages to the Chichester athletic department and Armand were not immediately returned Monday.

On Tuesday, Amand said in an email that the game was never rescheduled to Monday.

“The Saturday game was cancelled.  (Academy Park) promoted it as rescheduled, but if you look at our schedule and the assignors’ schedule, both say the game was cancelled.  Chichester never was the host school.”

As members of the Del Val League, Academy Park and Chichester may attempt to play the game at a later date, although there isn’t much flexibility remaining on the schedule. Academy Park is currently declaring the game canceled.

Since it was initially AP’s home game, the Knights could have the right to declare a forfeit win. A forfeit loss would be devastating for Chichester and its chances for a playoff spot in the District 1 Class 5A tournament. Chichester was also said to be unwilling to play Monday or at any point this week due to PIAA rules that states a football team cannot play two games in a five-day span. Chichester will travel to Kennett this week.

Academy Park isn’t the only Del Val League member dealing with potential threats. Interboro School District was on high alert Monday due to threats made on social media. The district did not close schools or administrative offices, however, and Prospect Park police said later Monday it already had a person of interest in custody.

Academy Park is 3-0 on the season, having outscored its competition 125-13 thus far. The Knights are next scheduled to play at Sun Valley (2-2) Friday evening at 7. The game was moved to the visitor’s field in Aston again out of safety concerns. The game has been confirmed by Sun Valley officials.

In two weeks, Academy Park is scheduled to have its homecoming game against Downingtown East.