Land O’ Lakes’ football opener back on for Friday following suspension

The Land O’ Lakes High football team will play its regular-season opener Friday at River Ridge following a brief suspension of the program, the Pasco County school district confirmed Thursday.

Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m.

The Gators’ junior varsity home opener against River Ridge, scheduled for Thursday evening, won’t be played but could be rescheduled, county athletics supervisor Matt Wicks said.

The confirmation comes only two days after the school district announced the Gators’ entire program had been indefinitely suspended pending an investigation into a locker-room altercation involving two junior varsity players that was recorded and encouraged by other players.

On Wednesday afternoon, school district public-information officer Corey Dierdorff said initial statements indicated hazing might have been involved, prompting the halt of all football operations at the school. Further investigating revealed the incident didn’t appear to include any hazing, Dierdorff added.