Essex season over with impending forfeit to Monroe County

John Essex will see a second straight season end in forfeiture as it does not have enough players to take on Monroe County Friday night.

An altercation during last week’s contest with McIntosh resulted in the ejection and subsequent suspension of multiple John Essex players. With the Hornets having only dressed 12 players for much of the season, Essex is left without enough athletes to complete the season.

The forfeiture will officially mark the 17th straight loss for the Hornets, which ended their season with three forfeits in 2012. After the resignation of then head coach Jerome Antone, Essex saw multiple players quit the team, resulting in the forfeiture of games against Linden, McIntosh and Monroe County.

The forfeiture Friday night means Monroe County’s last two wins will have come via forfeit from John Essex.

If JEHS is closed, as many expect, following the conclusion of this academic year, the Hornets’ final two football games will end in a fight and a forfeit.

A call to Essex coach Keonn Nettles Tuesday was not immediately returned.