For the first time in Wyoming, a high school sporting event this fall has been canceled over precautions surrounding COVID-19.

Buffalo High School Activities Director Ryan Mader announced via email on Friday morning that an interclass varsity football game with 2A Newcastle at 3A Buffalo was now canceled.

The email said, “This week Newcastle has been dealing with many uncertainties and precautions in relation to COVID-19. Most recent developments from last night (Thursday) and this morning (Friday) has forced the decision to cancel tonight’s (Friday’s) game.”

The Weston County School District No. 1 released the following statement:

Newcastle High School Football players have been instructed by the State Health Department to cancel practice on Thursday, September 3, 2020. At this time we have a player who is in the testing protocol for COVID-19. Once we have more information available to us, we will notify every one of the next steps we will need to take before we can resume practice. It needs to be stressed that this is only a precautionary procedure. At this time we have NO ONE who has tested positive. This is only a precautionary procedure.

Weston County School District No. 1 Superintendent Brad LaCroix issued a statement on the WCSD website explaining the situation. Newcastle has had a player played into COVID-19 testing protocols. LaCroix says in the release that a member of the Hot Springs, SD football team that the Dogies played last week had tested positive for the virus earlier this week. The team did not practice on Thursday, as school district officials decided to suspend team activities. LaCroix also said though there is a player in the testing protocol, there has been no confirmed positive test of a member of the NHS football team at this time. All other activities and classes continue at Newcastle High School.

Of course, earlier this fall Wyoming Indian and St. Stephens schools canceled their entire fall sports seasons due to COVID-19.

Enter your number to get our free mobile app

More From WyoPreps