Holy Cross High School, a Class 1A football program in Pennsylvania, announced that it will forfeit its opening game of the season against Lakeland High School. The decision, made by school officials, reflects a combination of insufficient player numbers and a series of injuries that have left the roster too thin to compete safely.
The Crusaders currently list only 19 athletes on their roster, many of whom are newcomers without varsity experience. The team has a history of roster instability, having cancelled its 2019 season when just 12 players showed up and forfeiting a Week 3 game in 2022 for similar reasons.
Looking Ahead
Principal Ben Tolerico explained that the school’s priority is the well‑being of its students, stating that the program remains proud of the commitment shown by the young athletes despite the setbacks. He expressed optimism that a larger pool of returning players will help rebuild the squad in the coming weeks.
Next on the schedule, Holy Cross will face Riverside in Week 2 and Dunmore in Week 3, opponents that have each captured recent District 2 Class 2A championships. Both teams present formidable challenges as the Crusaders attempt to regain momentum.
Lakeland head coach David Piwowarczyk acknowledged the disappointment of seeing the game slip away but framed the situation as a chance for extra practice before the team’s Week 2 matchup at Lake‑Lehman. He noted that the extra time on the field could benefit his squad as they prepare for the remainder of the season.
The forfeiture underscores a broader trend in small‑school football programs across the region, where participation numbers have been squeezed by a variety of factors including academic pressures and multi‑sport athletes. While the Crusaders’ recent playoff appearances hint at latent talent, the current roster constraints cast a long shadow over immediate competitiveness.
Nevertheless, the coaching staff remains focused on development, planning additional conditioning sessions and outreach to families to boost enrollment. If the numbers improve, Holy Cross could re‑enter the playoff conversation sooner than expected.