WATERTOWN WINS ON FORFEIT: Western New York refuses to play after player ejected at half

SUNDAY, JUNE 28, 2009

The Watertown Red and Black's preseason matchup versus the visiting Western New York Cougars was called off before the second half of Saturday's game due to an altercation at halftime.

According to Red and Black head coach George Ashcraft, a player from each team was ejected because of their conduct at the end of the first half. Ashcraft pulled his player for the second half, but the Cougars refused to finish the game if their player was not allowed to play. No punches were thrown, according to Ashcraft, but local law enforcement was called to the Alex T. Duffy Fairgrounds field as a precaution. Western New York forfeited the game, which was scoreless.

"We probably will not play them ever again, given the circumstances of the way they reacted to every situation given here," Ashcraft said. "This is not supposed to happen at the level of the game. ... It's sad because it was a great game."

The Red and Black, which defeated Lyndonville, 6-3, in a preseason game two weeks ago, are scheduled to begin the Empire Football League season with a home game versus the Massena Silver and Black Raiders on July 11.