Joliet West will forfeit games next 2 weeks because of COVID-19 concerns

Joliet West announced Thursday afternoon that it is forfeiting Friday’s varsity football game against Plainfield North because of COVID-19 concerns.

Joliet West Athletic Director Steve Millsaps confirmed that the program also will forfeit its Week 4 matchup with West Aurora to comply with Covid protocols.

The issues currently do not affect any other athletic program in the school, including lower levels of the Joliet West football program. And as of Thursday afternoon, according to Millsaps, all other programs at the school will continue without interruption.

If given clearance, Joliet West could return to the field in Week 5 at Plainfield Central.

Earlier Thursday, Joliet West’s district partner, Joliet Central, forfeited its Week 3 game against Oswego because of Covid concerns.

Joliet Central coach Thomas Hart indicated that the program had about 10 players available for Friday’s game, but it should have enough players cleared to resume its schedule in Week 4. The Steelmen currently are scheduled to host Oswego East.

The two COVID-19 incidents are not related.

Steve Soucie

Steve Soucie

Steve Soucie is the Managing Editor of Friday Night Drive for Shaw Media. Also previously for Shaw Media, Soucie was the Sports Editor at the Joliet Herald News. Prior to that, Soucie worked at the Kankakee Daily Journal and for Pro Football Weekly.