Lincoln wins by forfeit after opponent no-shows on Senior Night

Lincoln High School's football team was awarded a victory last Friday night after Center, its scheduled Pioneer Valley League opponent, failed to appear for the game. Lincoln coach Allen Berg says he was not notified that Center was forfeiting until 7:15 p.m., after Senior Night festivities were completed and the team was in the tunnel ready to take the field. "It's frustrating for the kids," said Berg. "Especially because we aren't guaranteed a home playoff game." According to Berg, Center said there were transportation issues but noted the junior varsity game was played and the Cougars' JV team arrived by bus Friday. Berg said he didn't see Center warming up at any point before the game and wondered if they had gone to the locker room before he noticed no crowd filing in on the visitor's side at the end of the JV game. Many Lincoln fans noted on social media there was a lack of visiting fans entering the stadium after the JV game. "I was informed by our athletic director, who heard from Lincoln's AD, that Center didn't show up because they had transportation issues," said Wheatland football coach Andy Fatten, who serves as the head of football for the PVL. "They said that their varsity bus never showed up." Fatten confirmed Center notified Lincoln just minutes before kickoff that the team would not be coming. "It's a tough situation," he said. "You shouldn't have to double-check if your opponent is going to show up, but communication is key. If you're running late or having issues, you let the other school know. That's what we've all done before." Fatten said there's no written league protocol outlining how much notice a school must give before forfeiting, but he expects that will change. "It has to be a discussion," Fatten said. "We'll talk about it at the end of next week when we meet as head coaches. Communication has to be a priority." While it wasn't the Senior Night anyone expected, Lincoln's community still made the most of things. The band played, the cheerleaders performed, and families still took their photos. The celebration carried on, even without football. While the forfeit counts as a Lincoln victory, Berg expressed frustration with the missed opportunity. He said not getting to play makes it difficult to boost the team's ranking heading into the postseason. Although the Zebras won't be penalized, losing the opportunity to play a game could be the difference between earning a home playoff matchup or opening the postseason on the road. Lincoln also took a financial hit. Officials had already been paid, and concession stands were fully stocked for a large crowd. But once it became clear the game wasn't happening, snack bar sales quickly evaporated. This is not the first time Center has forfeited games late in the season. Last year, the Cougars forfeited their final two games against Wheatland and Bear River to finish the season 1-9. The Cougars are scheduled to play Wheatland this week and Fatten said he has been in communication with Center football coach and athletic director Digol J'Beily about that game being played. Multiple PVL athletic directors and coaches have expressed frustration with the situation and said Center has not been present at recent league meetings. Fatten confirmed reports that Center has not been attending league meetings. "We try to make those meetings mandatory," Fatten said. "Of the last two league-wide meetings, they weren't there. When we met at Mira Loma, they were a no-show. They've kind of been a nonparticipant." As for possible league repercussions, Fatten said those decisions fall outside his authority. "I don't have much of a say in who's in or out of the league," he said. "That's more for the athletic directors and the CIF when they look at realignment. But it's something we'll all need to talk about." Gold Mountain California News Media reached out to J'Beily for comment but had not received a response as of 9:30 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 21.