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The end of the murder trial of Chicago police officer Jason Van Dyke on Friday has had a ripple effect on the football scene in high schools in the city.
Public school administrators in Chicago sent an email Friday afternoon, canceling all the matches and sports practices of the Public League for Friday and Saturday. The e-mail did not give reason for the move.
A Cook County jury found Mr. Van Dyke guilty of second degree murder and 16 counts of murder with a firearm on the death of 17-year-old Laquan McDonald in October 2014 , thus ending a racially-charged affair that has hit the city.
Several games involving Catholic League teams in Chicago and the suburbs have been postponed or canceled. In a match between two CCL teams in the city at Altgeld Park, Hope defeated Leo 46-14.
The Providence Catholic League's cross-match against Mount Carmel was dropped for the Caravan after Providence canceled all weekend sporting events in Chicago. The match was scheduled for Friday night at Gately Stadium before being postponed Thursday to Saturday afternoon at Mount Carmel.
Friday afternoon, Mount Carmel Athletic Director Dan LaCount sent a two-sentence statement to the media: "As of now, Providence Catholic has lost the sophomore and university match this weekend. Obviously, we are disappointed and we pray for peace in our communities. "
Providence coach Mark Coglianese was not happy with the result.
"I do not think it should be a loss, but I have no control over that," said Coglianese. "I wish the IHSA to review the circumstances. It's for the safety of our players and our coaches. We were trying to avoid a potentially dangerous situation. "
Coglianese said Mount Carmel had refused to play in Providence or in a neutral suburban site.
Providence's decision came one year after nearby gunshots interrupted the Celtics game against Hope Academy at Altgeld Park in the West Side.
The red Catholic match of the Hope Academy against Leo Friday in Altgeld Park went as planned.
Three more games on Friday involving teams from the Catholic League have been postponed: Sainte-Rita to St. Laurent was moved to 15 hours. Saturday, Loyola at De La Salle at 18h. Monday and Montini at Fenwick at 1:30 pm. Saturday at Triton College in River Grove.
SPC's decision not to catch up with Friday or Saturday games could prevent some PS teams from participating in the IHSA playoffs. Teams with six or more wins earn automatic seats, while teams of five wins qualify based on the victories of their opponents.
Some Public League teams played Thursday and will play nine games in the regular season, but most will play eight. This makes it more difficult to reach the threshold of six wins and means fewer opponent wins – also called points for the playoffs – for the teams on the bubble.
"You look at all those teams that have 3-3," said Phillips coach Troy McAllister. "In most situations, if they win two of three (to finish the season), they enter (in the playoffs). Now they are guaranteed not to enter because of the points.
"CPS football has made progress, but it's a setback."
Phillips (4-2), the defending class 5A champion and currently playing in 6A, was scheduled to play at Lane on Saturday.
"We will try to regroup," McAllister said. "At 4-2, we have to win. … If we drop the ball in one of our last two games, we are considering not qualifying for the playoffs. "
Southtown Daily reporter Pat Disabato contributed.
Twitter @mikeclarkpreps
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