DUVAL COUNTY, Fla. — Two spring football games are being overshadowed by violence.
Three First Coast High School football players were shot in recent weeks.
And because of the threat of more violence, two spring games had to be moved.
Fans and parents are being kept away. A decision was made late Thursday to keep the media away too.
About a half-dozen cop cars and officers standing guard out front of Ed White High School show just how tight security is for the spring game.
Parents say they found out about the changes to this football match-up less than 24-hours ago.
Now it’s a day-game instead of playing at night.
Ed White is now the home team rather than their rival First Coast with no fans to play in front of.
To even see the game, Action News had to pull off the side of 295 behind the stadium to get a look since even the media wasn't allowed in.
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Our crew saw police keeping a close eye on the freeway and the rest of the empty stadium.
Only players, coaches, scouts and the refs were allowed in because off the security threats of violence against students.
But on the field, there was football.
And outside the school, Ed White lineman Jordan Johnson's mom made her feelings known.
“I’m not trying to cause an uproar, I’m trying to find out why we can’t have what the other schools have, did they shut down the other spring game, no. They shut down the school playing First Coast.” Kecia Johnson said.
Trinity Christian is now hosting Raines at 7 p.m. Duval County Schools spokeswoman Tia Ford gave a statement on the changes:
"The scrimmage between First Coast and Ed White high schools has been rescheduled for 3 p.m. today (Thursday) at Ed White. In an effort to ensure the safety of students, the community, and campuses, we are restricting the public’s access to the game."
WJAX
