Democrat File Photo Livingston Manor and Fallsburg, seen here playing each other last season, will not be fielding varsity football teams in 2013 due to insufficient participation.

Low numbers means no varsity football in Manor or Fallsburg

Staff Report
FALLSBURG/LIVINGSTON MANOR — August 23, 2013 — Low numbers have taken a toll on two Sullivan County varsity football teams heading into the 2013 season.
Livingston Manor and Fallsburg were forced to drop their varsity program due to lack of participation. Manor upperclassmen will be
able to join the Roscoe/
Downsville combined varsity team. Fallsburg only had one returning senior, Shakree Gibson, who has transferred to Liberty and will play for the Indians.
Unfortunately, Fallsburg’s juniors were not able to join another school’s program because doing so would have elevated that school to a different classification. New York State Public High School Athletic Association rules mandate that in order for just one student-athlete to play for a neighboring school, a school’s entire enrollment must be added to the school he or she would be joining, more than likely changing its class.
In the case of Manor players joining Roscoe/Downsville, the addition of Manor’s enrollment did not alter Roscoe/Downsville’s D classification.
Fallsburg juniors will be allowed to play on its junior varsity team.
The elimination of the Livingston Manor program also had an adverse effect on Sullivan West as it was not able to replace Manor on its 2013 schedule and is left with playing just seven games.
“It was just too late in the process to try and get another game scheduled,” said Sullivan West athletic director Dave Franskevicz. “Everyone’s schedule is set at this point.”