Asher Hyre is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover Valley Lutheran High School for AZPreps365.com

The Valley Lutheran-Scottsdale Christian Prep football game, scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 2, has been canceled due to health issues within the Flames program. 

This is the second game in a row that has been canceled for Valley Lutheran, after their Sept. 24 contest against St. John Paul II Catholic, which was canceled due to health issues within the Lions program. 

The last time the Flames (1-3) played a game was on Sept. 17, a 36-6 loss against Willcox. Head coach Brian Porter believes his team will stay motivated to play and fight their way to the playoffs. 

“The players are disappointed, especially after the amount of cancellations we had last season,” Porter said. “That being said, they are motivated to stay in shape and have spent this time working out in the weight room and organizing their own small practices to keep in shape. 

“All we can do is control how we play in our next four games. I feel if we go 4-0 or 3-1 in the next four games, we have a shot at the playoffs.” 

There are some positives to be taken away from these disappointing past two weeks, Porter said. 

“We just keep fighting through adversity, which will only make the players prepared for the real life adversity they will face later on in the real world.” 

As far as potential makeup games, Valley Lutheran Athletic Director Bob Parsons said, “The prospect of rescheduling high school football games is a difficult proposition. With a limited number of weeks to the season, it is very doubtful we'd be able to find a day and time that would work for both schools. 

“We're hopeful and are planning on being at full strength for our next game,” Parsons added. 

Valley Lutheran is next scheduled to play at Madison Highland Prep at 7 p.m. on Oct. 8. It would be the Flames’ first game in 21 days.