Mastery High School of Camden will get a late start on the high school football season.
As of this week, at least one game will be forfeited by the school, its season opener at Clayton on Thursday. In addition, second-year coach Brandon Bather has left the program citing differences with the school on the direction of the program. Bather's resignation was accepted on August 13.
"I'm proud of what we accomplished with these young men," Bather said. "They worked hard. They got better. They are going to be a lot bigger, faster, stronger this year. The kids played all three sports. We were working."
Mastery had competed in 7-on-7 events during the offseason, but had yet to have a school-sponsored practice at the time of Bather's resignation.
Messages to Mastery athletic director Eboni Surgick were not returned in time for publication.
Tom Rimback grew up reading the Burlington County Times and Courier Post sports sections and began writing for the BCT in 1996. He has covered everything from Super Bowls and Final Fours to Tri-County Swimming but he's happiest on a sideline interviewing South Jersey scholastic athletes. Follow him on twitter @Rimbacksports. Email him with story ideas at [email protected] and, most importantly, support local journalism with a subscription to the Courier-Post.