The final game of the regular high school football season pitting Bogalusa against Albany is off after the Hornets opted to forfeit. Over fears after the fatal Bogalusa homecoming shooting the game was to be played neutral site, but Monday it was moved back to Bogalusa. But yesterday Albany High School Principal Sammie Lacara chose to forfeit.
“Basically, what I felt as principal at this particular juncture, looking at things, we don’t have to play it so why do that, and why force that situation,” said Lacara.
Lacara said he didn’t receive any pushback from parents or Albany residents on whether to play or not play in Bogalusa.
“I really didn’t have anybody like threatening to come in and burn down the building if we went or didn’t go or anything like that. It was just talking to Coach (John) Legoria, talking to my local law enforcement, and just kind of looking at things and saying you know what we don’t have to do this,” said Lacara.
Lacara said he along with other school principals in his district commended the security plans Bogalusa put forward, but he’s still concerned because arrests are pending. He did acknowledge that there are other team sports, like basketball and baseball coming forward where they will have to compete with Bogalusa.
“We don’t want this to be a long-term or standing thing, at this particular juncture, looking at things, we don’t have to play it,” said Lacara.
On October 15th, a 15-year-old boy was fatally shot outside of the stadium as Bogalusa was on their way to beating Jewel Sumner. So far no one has been arrested.
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