The Sarnia Imperials football season has been turfed.
With COVID-19 restricting the use of gridirons for the foreseeable future the Northern Football Conference has cancelled its entire 2020 season.
“We are saddened by the decision the league took," said Imperials president Jake Cherski. "But ... we want to put the safety of our team and our community first."
Sarnia is one of nine teams in the semi-pro football league whose season runs from May to July. A later start to the season would have conflicted with Ontario university football, the league said.
The Imperials, who play at Sarnia’s Norm Perry Park, finished 6-2 last season and lost 41-0 in the league semi-final to the Oakville Longhorns.