Los Angeles-area high school football team forfeits game due to COVID-19 outbreak

One California high school football program has dealt with plenty of adversity over the past two years. The latest challenge has forced Palisades High School to forfeit a game. The Dolphins will not play their scheduled game against San Pedro on Friday, Sept. 18, because a COVID-19 outbreak has left the team without enough healthy players to compete. The news was first reported by the Los Angeles Times.

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Scoop News DeskLos Angeles, California · Published Friday, September 18, 2026 at 2:51 PM UTCUpdated Friday, September 18, 2026 at 10:24 PM UTC

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About 15 Palisades players are sick, according to head coach Dylen Smith, including a starting wide receiver and several starting defensive backs. The latest setback comes as Palisades continues to navigate the aftermath of the devastating January 2025 wildfires that destroyed much of the Pacific Palisades community and severely damaged the school's campus.