WARRENSBURG, N.Y. — The leading team in New York’s small school football rankings has abruptly ended its flawless season due to serious allegations involving some players on the squad. This decision was announced on Saturday by officials from three upstate school districts following claims of sexual abuse that reportedly took place on a school bus.
The Warrensburg-Lake George-Bolton football team, which held an impressive 8-0 record, was the top seed for the upcoming Section II, Class D football tournament and ranked first by the New York State Sportswriters Association.
In a statement, the superintendents of the three collaborating districts disclosed that Warren County sheriff’s deputies initiated an investigation after receiving reports about the allegations on Thursday. However, the administration has chosen not to disclose specific details regarding the incident.
The superintendents — Amy Langworthy of Warrensburg, John Luthringer of Lake George, and Chad Shippee of Bolton — described the alleged behavior as “egregious” and noted that it constitutes a serious breach of both district and athletic conduct codes.
They stated, “We have determined that it is necessary to cancel the remainder of the 2024 football season, effective immediately, to allow law enforcement to continue its criminal investigation.” They acknowledged the challenging nature of this decision and expressed regret over its timing but emphasized the need to prioritize the ongoing inquiry due to the gravity of the situation.
Further comments were not provided by the schools, referencing the active nature of the law enforcement investigation. Coaches from the team, when reached by a local newspaper, indicated they had been advised against making any statements regarding the matter.
This season, the team has demonstrated remarkable performance, outscoring their opponents 329 to 34, excluding one victory that was awarded by forfeit. Additionally, they had a match prematurely concluded after one quarter, where they led 40-0 at the time, prompting their opponents to stop the game.
Situated approximately an hour north of Albany, the three school districts compete at the Class D level, which represents the smallest of five enrollment categories in New York’s football championship format, even when combined into a single team.