RCHS football game cancelled due to safety concerns

RHEA COUNTY — The Rhea County High School Eagles' football game set for Friday, Sept. 13, was canceled due to safety concerns, according to school officials.

“Due to ongoing safety concerns in both Rhea County and Hamilton County, we decided not to travel to Hamilton County tonight for the scheduled football game between Rhea County High School and The Howard School," Rhea County Director of Schools Jesse Messimer said in a statement. "We plan to appeal to the Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association (TSSAA) in hopes of rescheduling the game later in the season.”

Rhea County was set to travel to The Howard School in Chattanooga for their fourth game of the season before the game was cancelled.

To date, the Golden Eagles are 2-1 on the season. RCHS fell to Soddy-Daisy High School 49-42 in the season opener but defeated Red Bank High School 35-7 and Knoxville Central High School 35-14 in recent games.

According to reports, discussions are underway to reschedule the game to later in the season. Both Rhea County High School and The Howard School have a bye week scheduled for Friday, Oct. 18.

Rhea County's next scheduled game is away, against Cleveland High School, which is 3-0 on the season, on Friday, Sept. 20, with kick-off slated for 7 p.m.