Cross High School’s football team will forfeit its next three games and suspend multiple players following an on-field altercation during their Week 2 game against Woodland High School last Thursday. The Berkeley County School District announced the penalties on Thursday after reviewing the incident.
The forfeitures mean Cross High School will take losses in upcoming games against Timberland, Lake Marion, and Bowman High School. The South Carolina High School League (SCHSL) assessed the incident, and the penalties include self-imposed sanctions from the school.
While Dorchester District 4, which oversees Woodland High School, did not confirm the exact number of suspensions for its players, a spokesperson stated that Woodland’s game against Colleton County on Friday would proceed as scheduled. The Berkeley County School District indicated that players from both teams are receiving comparable punishments, but Cross High School’s smaller roster size prevents them from safely competing in their next three matchups.
The incident occurred during the season opener for both teams last Thursday. After a Woodland touchdown in the second quarter put the Wolverines ahead 14-8, multiple players from both schools engaged in separate altercations, leading to the game being called off. Woodland was awarded the victory and will retain it, according to an SCHSL official.
The Berkeley County School District expressed continued support for the student-athletes, emphasizing accountability and moving forward. A statement from the district noted that the incident does not define the character of the young men or the football program’s culture, with a focus on growth and football upon their return to the field.
For Beaufort area high school sports fans, this situation highlights the importance of sportsmanship and adherence to league rules across the state, impacting teams within the broader SCHSL Class AAAA Region 6, which includes local schools like Beaufort High School and Battery Creek High School.
