A major Houston high school football matchup has been canceled after some players on one team were diagnosed with staph infections.
Bellaire High School Principal Michael Niggli notified parent that members of the Cardinals football team had been diagnosed with the contagious skin infection. That prompted officials to cancel Friday night’s game between Bellaire and Lamar High School at Houston’s Delmar Stadium.
The District 18-6A matchup was Lamar’s 2026 homecoming game. Both schools are part of the Houston Independent School District.
“The decision is based on guidance from the HISD Health and Medical Department and the Houston Health Department Epidemiology team,” Niggli said in a statement. “HISD is taking appropriate steps in response to the confirmed cases.”
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Lamar High Principal Rita Graves said that although Friday’s homecoming game had been canceled, a homecoming dance on Saturday night would go forward as planned. “During the dance, we will announce Homecoming Queen and King,” she said in a message to Lamar families.
Under UIL guidelines, the canceled game will be recorded as a victory for Lamar by forfeit. The Texans will improve to 3-2 and will pick up their first district victory, while Bellaire will fall to 1-5.
Staphylococcus bacteria cause can enter the body through cuts, scrapes or other breaks in the skin. The infections can spread through close contact or contaminated objects, making football teams particularly susceptible because players routinely have skin-to-skin contact and share equipment.
The cancellation could affect Bellaire beyond this week. The Cardinals could be forced to forfeit another game if the team cannot contain the spread of the infection.
Both teams are scheduled to return to action next week. Lamar is set to play at Alief Taylor High School on Oct. 8. Bellaire is scheduled to host Houston Heights a day later.
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This article originally published at Staph outbreak cancels Houston high school football matchup, homecoming game.
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