King Drew Magnet Cancelled Football Game Due to Costs
A lack of travel funding forced the Los Angeles school to cancel its upcoming matchup in Baltimore.
Updated on Sept. 21, 2026 in Football
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King Drew Medical Magnet has officially cancelled its scheduled football game against St. Frances Academy. Head coach Joe Torres confirmed the decision in a Monday letter, citing a sudden loss of financial support from sponsors and donors.
Why it matters
The cancellation highlights the financial pressures faced by high school sports programs attempting to fund cross-country travel for national-level matchups. Without consistent backing from donors, smaller programs struggle to compete with elite national opponents.
King Drew Medical Magnet has operated its football program for 5 years and won a CIF LA City Section championship within the last three. In contrast, St. Frances Academy finished its 2025 season with a 9-1 record.
The players
Joe Torres
He serves as the head coach of the King Drew Medical Magnet football program.
King Drew Medical Magnet
This Los Angeles school operates a football program that won a CIF LA City Section title in the last three years.
St. Frances Academy
Based in Baltimore, this school is currently ranked No. 2 in the 2026 Rivals National High School Football Composite Rankings.
The details
The program was unable to secure the necessary funds to cover the travel costs required for the trip to Maryland. The withdrawal of committed sponsors and donors left the team unable to proceed with the high-profile out-of-state contest.
Timeline
Coach Joe Torres announced the cancellation on Monday, September 14, 2026.
St. Frances Academy previously played in the Overtime Nationals Championship in December 2025.
St. Frances Academy is scheduled to play the Legacy School of Sports Sciences on October 2, 2026.
Season Trajectory
The cancellation disrupts the competitive schedule of a top-ranked national program and eliminates a high-exposure opportunity for the Los Angeles-based squad. It highlights the growing disparity in travel budgets for high school football programs playing national schedules.
The removal of this game from the schedule means St. Frances Academy must shift its immediate focus to the upcoming October 2 contest against the Legacy School of Sports Sciences. For local supporters, this cancellation halts an opportunity to see the program compete against a national powerhouse.
The takeaway
Smaller football programs face significant logistical hurdles when attempting to schedule cross-country games against nationally ranked opponents. Maintaining a consistent donor base is essential for teams looking to secure their travel and operational budgets for out-of-state trips.
Further reading
Explore more local coverage of the Football scene in Los Angeles.
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