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Texas high school cancels game vs. team that duped ESPN

Bishop Sycamore reportedly lied to ESPN about the talent level of its roster so it could get on national television Sunday. It lost, 58-0, to Bradenton’s IMG Academy.
 
Bishop Sycamore reportedly lied to ESPN about the talent level of its roster so it could get on national television Sunday. It lost, 58-0, to Bradenton’s IMG Academy, ranked No. 2 in the nation by MaxPreps.
Bishop Sycamore reportedly lied to ESPN about the talent level of its roster so it could get on national television Sunday. It lost, 58-0, to Bradenton’s IMG Academy, ranked No. 2 in the nation by MaxPreps. [ JENNY KANE | AP ]
Published Aug. 31, 2021|Updated Aug. 31, 2021

DALLAS — Duncanville (Texas) has canceled its much-publicized game against Bishop Sycamore from Ohio amid the fallout from Sycamore duping ESPN to get on national television Sunday.

Al Wash, president of ALW Entertainment in Dallas — and the promoter for the Duncanville vs. Bishop Sycamore game — said he met with Duncanville athletic director Dwight Weaver on Tuesday and was informed that Duncanville wanted to cancel the game that was scheduled for Sept. 10.

“Student safety is our top priority and I can’t ask our student athletes to take the field next week without knowing more about who they will be facing,” Weaver said in a statement. “Our school district’s core values speak to honesty, integrity, ethics and providing a safe environment for students. This situation calls into question many of those values, so we are canceling this game.”

Duncanville ISD sent out a press release Tuesday regarding its decision.

“Duncanville Independent School District has decided to cancel the football game scheduled for Friday, Sept. 10 against Bishop Sycamore as additional information comes to light about the school’s program. There are unanswered questions about the Ohio school’s operating procedures and the eligibility of their student athletes.

“Duncanville ISD attempted to contact Bishop Sycamore, but has been unable to reach a representative from the school.

“The Duncanville High School football program does not currently have another team scheduled to play next week, and will be seeking a new opponent.”

Bishop Sycamore reportedly lied to ESPN about the talent level of its roster so it could get on national television Sunday. It lost, 58-0, to Bradenton’s IMG Academy, ranked No. 2 in the nation by MaxPreps.

ESPN announcers said during the game that they had been told that Bishop Sycamore had “a number of Division I prospects” but that they were never able to verify that.

The Tribune-Review in Pennsylvania reported that Bishop Sycamore played a game Friday, just two days before facing IMG Academy. Sporting News reported that Sycamore’s roster for a season-opening 38-0 loss to Akron’s Archbishop Hoban appeared to be filled with several players who might have already graduated high school in other states.