Afternoon, everyone.

A bit of surprising news to come out this afternoon about the Johnstown Sir Bills. They're forfeiting the remainder of their 2012 varsity foobtall schedule because of "insufficient numbers," according to Section 2 football coordinator Gary Vanderzee. He released a statement to the media moments ago:

Ladies and Gentlemen,  

At 12:45 this afternoon I received an email from the Johnstown AD informing me that they would be forfeiting the rest of their Varsity Football schedule for the 2012 season due to insufficient numbers. I/We will make every effort to find games for Glens Fall, (sic) Hudson Falls, Schalmont and Schuylerville, the remaining teams on the Johnstown schedule. 

Thanks, 
Gary

I called the Johnstown Athletic Department and they confirmed the statement, adding the team had suffered too many injuries to field a varsity squad. A call to Johnstown coach Matt Benton's cell phone went unanswered, and the coach's voice mail inbox was unable to accept additional messages.

The Sir Bills were off to an 0-3 start in Class B this season, dropping games to Cobbleskill, Johnstown and Tamarac. They had been outscored 103-29 in those matches, and were scheduled to visit Glens Falls this Saturday at 1:30 p.m. They were scheduled to play Schuylerville Oct. 12.

More information as it comes to us.

UPDATE: I spoke with Glens Falls Head Coach Pat Lilac, who said his team wouldn't be able to find another opponent in time for tomorrow's game. They found out midway through Wednesday's practice and had tried to organize something with Waverly, out past Binghamton, at a neutral site.

It fell through, though, and his players will go through a full-contact practice today and have tomorrow off. It's not an ideal situation by any means -- you'd like to have a game every week to keep your players sharp -- but at least they'll be well-rested for next week's match with Broadalbin-Perth.

I also asked Vanderzee how this affects the Section 2 standings. Here's his answer:

They will be forfeit wins and 7 quarter points will be awarded to each of those teams for playoff seeding purposes. As for records they will get the forfeit if they cannot get a game if they get a game they will count that game.

 Until next time,
MC