University School pulls out of Glenville playoff matchup set for Saturday

University School will not take the field against Glenville High School on Saturday, October 31, ending a day of reversals over whether the playoff game would happen at all. The school said it will turn its attention to a possible Friday night matchup with Salem instead.

The dispute began Thursday, October 29, when the Ohio High School Athletic Association removed Glenville from the state football tournament. OHSAA rules require students who attend Ginn Academy to compete for the Cleveland Metropolitan school closest to their homes. A Cuyahoga County judge responded that day with a temporary restraining order that put Glenville back in contention and set the game for Saturday afternoon at the new John F. Kennedy High School stadium. Cleveland Metropolitan School District said it was ready to host the noon kickoff.

University School declined the rescheduled date. "We will not compete in the now re-scheduled contest, respect the court's prudence in deciding the ultimate outcome of the legal dispute, and will prepare to compete with Salem on Friday night if that is the resolution," the school said in a statement. The school had been preparing for the original Friday, October 30 slot before Thursday's cancellation.

The eligibility question turns on where Ginn Academy students live. OHSAA said it asked Cleveland Metropolitan School District for residency records on September 28 and received an initial batch on October 22. In an October 29 meeting, OHSAA said, Glenville did not contest the audit's findings. Daryl Hopes, who raised concerns about the participation rules, asked why the arrangement matters: "What difference does it make if Ginn Academy is the school that's being represented. Why can't kids come from all over," he said.

Cleveland leaders held a press conference Friday afternoon to mark Glenville's return to the bracket. "They were disappointed at first, but we're happy right now for our children and the Glenville community to play this game," Conwell said. OHSAA said it stands by the Thursday ruling but would comply with the court order.

A hearing on the case is set for Monday.