Football: Bad news keeps coming

Suddenly, a dark cloud is hanging over the area high school football scene.

Coming off one of the best years in recent memory for area teams -- Cumberland Valley and Trinity won district titles -- two shocking events were reported over the span of four days.

First, Boiling Springs senior two-way lineman Sam Gitt tragically died after a football practice at Albright College's camp Friday night. No one will know how or why Gitt died until lab tests come back in several weeks, Berks County chief deputy coroner Charles Sweitzer told The Sentinel on Tuesday.

Heat has not been ruled out as a contributing factor, Sweitzer said.

Also on Tuesday, news broke that a hazing incident involving the Trinity High School football team took place at Lebanon Valley College's camp, which ended July 20.

Trinity's administration has been rather quiet about the situation as the Annville Township Police Department are continuing their investigation.

Depending on what the police find, there could be suspensions and/or expulsions from the team. Remember, the Shamrocks open the season against perennial district and state power Lancaster Catholic at COBO Field on Sept. 2 at 7 p.m.

And, if you've forgotten, Trinity will already be shorthanded. Running back-linebacker Jack Miller was thrown out of Trinity's PIAA Class AA quarterfinal game against Lewisburg for throwing a punch and is suspended for the first game of the season.

Boiling Springs, which went 7-4 last year and qualified for the 3-AA playoffs where it lost to Trinity, opens the season at home Sept. 2 against Littlestown at 7 p.m. The Thunder Bolts finished the regular season 10-0 last year before losing their 3-AA opener.

Trinity, the defending district champion, is coming off a 12-2 season.