Top-ranked Upstate NY football team cancels season amid sexual harassment allegations

Warrensburg, N.Y. (AP) – The top-ranked team in the New York Small School Football Poll abruptly canceled its undefeated season Saturday after officials in three upstate counties said some of the team’s players had faced charges of sexual abuse on a bus school .

Warrensburg-Lake George-Bolton (8-0) took first place in the Section II Class D football tournament and was ranked No. 1 in the New York State Sportswriters Association rankings.

Superintendents of the three school districts that are combining to form one football team said Warren County sheriff’s deputies launched an investigation Thursday, a day after the allegations were reported. The schools did not disclose any details.

In a joint statement, the superintendents – Amy Langworthy of Warrensburg, John Luthringer of Lake George and Chad Shippee of Bolton – called the conduct “egregious” and added that it “constitutes a clear violation of district and athletic conduct rules.”

“We have determined it is necessary to cancel the remainder of the 2024 football season, effective immediately, to allow law enforcement to continue their investigation,” superintendents said. “This is not a decision we have made lightly and we recognize that the timing of this decision is disappointing. However, given the seriousness of the alleged circumstances and the ongoing investigation, such action was necessary.”

The schools declined to comment further, citing an ongoing law enforcement investigation. Members of the team’s coaching staff contacted by The Post-Star newspaper in nearby Glens Falls said they had been instructed not to comment on the situation.

This season, the team has outscored its opponents 329-34, excluding one forfeit victory. After one quarter, another match was called; The team was then leading 40-0 and the opponent decided not to play until the end.

All schools are located approximately one hour north of Albany. Class D is the smallest of the five recruiting classes used in New York’s football championship format. The Warrensburg, Lake George and Bolton school districts, even when combined, still compete at the small school level.