CLINTON TOWNSHIP, WYOMING COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — A high school football game was finally played after a safety scare. 28/22 News has been following the concerns at Lackawanna Trail High School. The Lions got to host that game with the old Forge Blue Devils.
The rivalry between Lackawanna Trail and Old Forge is intense, but at this year's homecoming, safety concerns overshadowed the kickoff.
The game was postponed from Friday to Sunday after a student was seen climbing a building on campus earlier this month to access the roof.
When confronted, the student made troubling statements, referencing a Charlie Kirk-style assassination and claiming he could shoot long distance.
"To say it's disturbing is an understatement. I think we're all on that page for something like this to even be in the air out here, is ridiculous," parent of a student, Paul Dwyer, explained.
The homecoming court walked across the field the day after the homecoming dance went off without a hitch.
Additional security was in place for both the dance and the football game.
The goal is to help keep focus on tradition, school spirit, and the rivalry match-up.
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"I would never have an event, school, something of that nature if I didn't feel that we were reasonably safe," Lackawanna Trail School District Superintendent Matthew Rakauskas explained,
Students shared mixed feelings about Friday's game postponement, but school pride remained strong.
"I was disappointed to hear that, but we have a lot of lion pride and we're always going to show up for our boys, our team, and our school. So we weren't really worried about it after that," Lackawanna Trail Senior Kate Jones told 28/22 News.
"I just appreciate the patience of the public and community. I hope they have trust in us that we're doing the right thing and doing everything we can to keep everyone safe," Rakauskas added.
From the sidelines to the stands, the rivalry game and homecoming celebrations moved forward under a watchful eye, proving that safety and tradition can share the spotlight.
The superintendent says the investigation into the threat is still ongoing.
