Posted in Education

Audio: Fear of violence leads to PHS football game moving to Saturday a.m.

   August 31, 2022

At last Friday’s high school football game between Pensacola High and Booker T. Washington, a brawl involving several students broke out behind the Washington stands. Nearly every Pensacola Police officer on duty in the city was called to the school to quell the melee.

The Pensacola Police and Escambia County School District have been silent about what happened, leaving parents in the dark about issues with safety at local football games until yesterday.

The Pensacola High principal notified PHS parents via the school’s automated call system that the next two football games will be played at 9 a.m. on Saturday due to “safety concerns.”

NorthEscambia.com reports that School District spokesperson Cody Strother said there were some “neighborhood issues” that spilled over into the stands last week at the PHS at Washington game. “We are just trying to be proactive and do what’s best.”

Pensacola Police Department spokesman Officer Greg Gordon admitted that there were “several incidents and fights following the PHS and Washington game last week.”

He added, “We support (the school district’s) safety concerns, and this will let things cool off.”

Here is the transcript of Principal Miller’s call:

Good evening. This is Saraya Miller, principal of Pensacola High School, calling with important information about schedule changes for two upcoming high school football games.

The Pensacola High School versus Tate High School football game scheduled for Friday, September 2nd, 2022 is being moved to Saturday, September 3rd at 9:00 AM due to safety concerns shared by local law enforcement agencies. The Pensacola High School versus Tate High School game will be played at Tate High School on Saturday, September 3rd at 9:00 AM.

Next week, the PHS versus Pine Forest game originally scheduled for Friday, September 9th, 2022 is being moved to Saturday, September 10th, 2022. This game will be played at Pine Forest High School at 9:00 AM as well.

The safety and security of our students, staff, and visitors remains our first priority. Thank you and have a great tiger evening.

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