MALDEN (WBZ-AM) -- Malden High School, which hasn't won a game this year, was scheduled to play Everett, which hasn't lost a game--but now they won't be playing Friday night, as Malden officials decided to forfeit.
Malden High Principal Chris Mastrangelo spoke to WBZ-TV after the decision was made to call off the game with their neighbor and rival.
"During the course of the season, our numbers diminished due to injuries," Mastrangelo said. "We've gotten ourselves down to the point where we have about 39 active players, of which 22 are freshmen."
Malden Schools Superintendent John Oteri told WBZ-TV the decision was "disappointing but necessary given that it's our neighbor and long-time rival, but it really boiled down to the safety of our student athletes."
The two schools have been playing each other since 1893.
WBZ NewsRadio 1030's Ben Parker (@radiobenparker) reports