Here's the release, courtesy of Ashland High football coach Charlie Hall.
The Ashland-Crater varsity football game, scheduled for Friday, October 16th is cancelled. Due to serious flu conditions throughout the team, a decision was based on the health of each individual. Practices were cancelled Monday and Tuesday in an attempt to stop the spread of the flu. Over the last two days we have averaged over 20 players missing from school. Some of the sick players reported to a team meeting this morning, symptom free, but still coughing and weak as a result of the sickness.
On the advice of local health care authorities, our staff is extremely concerned and cautious about the risk of secondary infection related to this strain of flu. Having at-risk players return prior to a full recovery would not be in their best interest. Having players prolong their recovery is certainly not in the best interest of the program.
Based on a preseason contingency created by the Southern Sky Conference Athletic Directors the game will be forfeited. Ashland High School will resume play against Mazama High School, October 23 in Klamath Falls.