Undefeated Odessa football's repeat title bid ends due to COVID-19
Top-ranked Bulldogs had won 24 straight games
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Missouri will have a new Class 3 state football champion.
Less than a year ago, Odessa was celebrating its first Missouri state football championship in a quarter-century.
The No.1-ranked Bulldogs' chance at a repeat ended Thursday due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Press Release: pic.twitter.com/FoUMxteyuy
— OHS Activities (@OHS_Activities) November 12, 2020
The Odessa R-VII School District announced the decision, which was made "in collaboration with the Lafayette County Health Department," to forfeit the remainder of the season after "multiple positive Covid-19 cases within the program."
The Bulldogs, 9-0, had won 24 consecutive games and were slated to host Summit Christian, 8-3, at 7 p.m. on Friday in the Missouri Class 3, District 7 championship game.
Odessa was the top seed in the district and eliminated Pembroke Hill last week.
"We are extremely proud of our students, athletes, and coaches for their continued commitment, diligence, and performance in making the Odessa Football program successful," the district said in a press release. "It is with great sadness that Covid-19 has brought the season to an end."
According to the Odessa School District, there have been eight confirmed cases at the high school and 20 overall through Monday, Nov. 9. There were four active cases and 80 people in quarantine at that time.
Rockhurst, Lee's Summit North, Oak Park and William Chrisman also canceled district playoff football games due to COVID-19 issues.