Ernest Ward Cuts Escambia Academy From Football Schedule

September 27, 2011

(Updated) Ernest Ward Middle School has dropped two scheduled football games against Escambia Academy, citing a concern over the number of ninth graders playing for the Cougars — a difference created by different rules in different states.

The Ernest Ward Eagles were scheduled to host Escambia Academy September 27 and travel to Canoe to face EA on October 18. Now, Ernest Ward will face the Baker Gators on those dates.

Ernest Ward’s football team is comprised of seventh and eighth graders under Florida rules. Escambia Academy fields a junior varsity team of seventh through ninth grade players under the  rules of the Alabama Independent School Association, Headmaster Betty Warren said Tuesday morning.

“We can’t mix high school and middle school on the football field,” Ernest Ward Principal Nancy Perry said Monday. “This is not meant to be a controversy; this is about the kid’s safety.”

Perry said that when the games were scheduled, she was told there was perhaps one ninth grade student on Cougars’ team. But Perry said she learned that Escambia Academy has 11 ninth grade students on their middle school team this year and that the Escambia (Fla.) School District will not allow Ernest Ward Middle, the only middle school team in the county, to take the field against high school grade players.

Escambia Academy is a private school located in Canoe, Ala., east of Atmore.  Ernest Ward and Escambia Academy faced off twice last year, with EWMS winning 14-8 and 16-6.

Pictured: Ernest Ward plays Escambia Academy last season. NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.

Comments

5 Responses to “Ernest Ward Cuts Escambia Academy From Football Schedule”

  1. Dr. Kevin R. Linam on September 27th, 2011 4:28 pm

    Very smart move from great instructional leader- Mrs. Perry!

  2. Byrneville Parent on September 27th, 2011 4:03 pm

    I remember when Carver had their middle school team and we played Alabama teams, they just agreed to not play their ninth graders. It worked out well because it gave the younger, and usually smaller guys a chance to play without having to “bench” your ninth graders. I understood the AL teams liked this chance.

  3. dola on September 27th, 2011 1:34 pm

    I agree with joe. But, in my opinion I bet it would have been a great victory for EW any way had they got to play! GO CHIEFS~!

  4. jw on September 27th, 2011 12:37 pm

    I don’t really think middle school is a good age for organized football anyway. At least not tackle football, when you consider the huge differences in size between kids at that age. You can end up with a 6′ 160 lb kid playing against a 4′ 6″ 75 lb kid. I just think it’s better to wait until high-school for the rough stuff.

  5. joe on September 27th, 2011 11:17 am

    Nancy Perry is always looking out for her kids! she runs a tight ship and the sports program is no different. thanks for keeping the kids safe!

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News, Sports