Rumors of gun violence force football game forfeit

DES MOINES (AP) — Des Moines school officials say East High School has been forced to forfeit its football game against Ames because of internet rumors about possible gun violence.

The Iowa High School Athletic Association gave East the option to forfeit the Friday night game, travel to Ames to play or postpone it until daylight Saturday and play at the East stadium.

School Superintendent Tom Ahart says the reasons cited by the association and Ames school officials are baseless and the decision is an insult to students and the Des Moines Community.

East school officials arranged for more police officers at school Friday in response to rumors of a gunfight but nothing unusual happened during school.

An athletic association spokesman didn’t immediately respond to a message.