Dedham High School football game canceled after threat of violence

School officials in Dedham, Massachusetts, have canceled Friday night's football game — the first of the year — after a violent threat was made.

Superintendent Nan Murphy of Dedham Public Schools and Dedham Police Chief Mike D'Entrement announced in a message to the school community Friday that an anonymous threat had been called in to Dedham High School.

The caller, whose phone number was blocked, "reported a rumor that a student was going 'to shoot up the football game today,'" the officials said in the announcement.

It was supposed to be the first Friday night lights of the new school year. Initially, officials said there would be an increased police presence at the game against Dover-Sherborn. The district later announced the game had been called off.

"It was kind of scary to me," said Evan Howley, a player on Dedham's junior varsity team. "It was very unexpected. I was getting hyped up for the game and I was getting ready to play."

"Although the Dedham Police Department still has no reason to believe this morning's anonymous call regarding a threat of violence at tonight's football is credible, jointly, the Dedham and Dover-Sherborn Districts have decided to cancel the game," school leaders said in a statement.

The school districts have not said when the games will be rescheduled.