Jaguars football plays, others sit

Ashwaubenon - The stands weren't as full as normal, but the game went on.

Ashwaubenon and Green Bay East played their rescheduled game today, however, other sports weren't so lucky.

When Ashwaubenon High School decided to cancel school thursday and friday because of a flu outbreak, it also cancelled all sporting events and extracurricular activities.

However, thanks to a WIAA clause, the football team was allowed back on the field today, leaving some parents and players with questions. Cross country and soccer, both in state tournaments, were not allowed to reschedule, ending their respective seasons, leaving some participants upset.

Soccer player Cory Frelich : "We were really disappointed, especially the seniors, because they are done forever," said senior soccer player Cory Frelich. "It would have been great if they could have rescheduled it."

The difference is the time of year. According to the WIAA, games in regular season can be made up, while those in tournaments cannot, so as not to delay the tournament.

The school knew if they cancelled classes, it would affect many, but opted for safety first.

"We always want to take care of the health and safety of the kids first, and beyond that we want to keep them in as many activities as possible. We focus on keeping the kids healthy, keeping them safe," said Ashwaubenon assistant principal Dirk Ribbens.

As for parents who made it to the make-up game, they are starting to understand, but wish it were different.

Maria Van Laanen- I think the word is spreading," said Maria Van Laanen, the wife of one of Ashwaubenon's assistant coaches. "There were a lot of questions initially when the football schedule was changed, but I think there is a lot of understanding."

Charlie Brecklin has a son who plays on the team, who found out the game had been rescheduled on his Facebook page. "Sometimes rules could be bent a little bit," said Brecklin. "They reschedule for snow and weather and that kind of thing, if you get the other school to agree, it would have been the right thing to let Ashwaubenon play that soccer game, but rules are rules."

The WIAA told Fox-11 today in an email that a sick day differs from a snow day in that it is a prevention issue as opposed to a weather safety issue, which can get better as the day goes on. Ashwaubenon did appeal the decision, but was denied a chance to make-up the state tournament games.

As for Saturday's game, Green Bay East could have accepted the forfeit, but instead agreed to play a day later. In the end, the Jaguars were able to capitalize on being allowed to play, beating Green Bay East 36-16.