News Summary
The historic high school football rivalry game between Pickens County High School and Gordo High School, known as the ‘8 Mile War,’ has been canceled due to a social media post related to Gordo’s cheer program. The post, which sparked outrage for its racial implications, led to formal apologies from both schools’ principals. Gordo remains undefeated this season, while Pickens County struggles. The cancellation shifts focus to other regional games for both teams in the aftermath of the controversy.
Gordo, Alabama – The highly anticipated “8 Mile War,” a historic high school football rivalry between Pickens County High School and Gordo High School, has been canceled due to a controversial social media post associated with Gordo’s cheer program. The game was originally scheduled for Friday, September 26, and would have marked the 101st meeting between the two schools, a rivalry that dates back to 1924.
The cancellation was announced after a social media post linked to a dress-up day at Gordo High School sparked criticism and concern within the community. Although the post has since been deleted, it reportedly featured students holding monkey toys and bananas, which provoked discussions around racial stereotypes. Many community members found the imagery offensive, prompting school officials to act swiftly.
In light of the incident, both principals issued formal apologies, emphasizing their commitment to the well-being and safety of students. Gordo High School’s principal, Jeff Campbell, took full responsibility for the post, admitting it was inappropriate and expressing regret for the upset it caused. Meanwhile, Pickens County High School’s principal, Lee Richardson, explained that the decision to cancel the game was made with student safety in mind.
Following the announcement, Pickens County superintendent Shawn McDaniel revealed that an investigation had been conducted regarding the post and found no intent of racial discrimination or profiling. However, McDaniel recognized that the content had deeply offended many members of the community and extended an apology on behalf of the Pickens County School District.
In response to the broader concerns about the implications of the post, parent Adrian Lake remarked on the harmful racial stereotypes that such imagery promotes and underlined the importance of being aware of the potential effects on children.
The rivalry between Pickens County and Gordo is well-established, with both schools boasting dedicated fanbases. On the field, Gordo’s football team has maintained a strong performance this season, remaining undefeated with a record of 5-0 and ranking No. 1 in the AHSAA Class 3A standings. In contrast, Pickens County is struggling, holding a 1-3 record and currently unranked in Class 1-A. Recently, Pickens County secured a win against Brilliant with a score of 57-6.
Despite the cancellation of the “8 Mile War,” both teams are set to continue their respective region games the following Friday. Pickens County will host Hubertsville, while Gordo is scheduled to visit Oakman, thus allowing both teams to focus on their upcoming matches amidst the recent controversy.
No comments have been made available from either head coach regarding the cancellation of the rivalry game. In the aftermath, schools from both districts have expressed the importance of fostering open communication and addressing community concerns to restore trust and ensure a safe environment for all students.
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Additional Resources
- Tuscaloosa News: Pickens County Cancels 100-Year Rivalry with Gordo
- Wikipedia: High School Football in the United States
- Sports Illustrated: Facebook Post Ends 100-Year Rivalry
- Google Search: Pickens County High School Gordo High School rivalry
- WVUA 23: Pickens County Cancels Game Against Gordo
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Football
- AL.com: Game Canceled After Social Media Post
- Google News: Alabama High School Football Controversy
- WBRC: Pickens County Cancels Football Game
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