News Summary Several high schools in Iowa have canceled or paused their varsity football seasons due to low student participation and safety concerns. Affected schools, including Lone Tree, Rockford, and Dunkerton, cited insufficient player numbers as a critical factor. Siouxland Christian ended its season after just one game, while Remsen-St. Mary’s, Highland, and Mormon Trail have temporarily paused their play. Des Moines Hoover has decided to forgo varsity football for the 2025 season, highlighting ongoing challenges in maintaining high school sports amid safety considerations and declining interest. Iowa High School Football Season Canceled or Paused Across Multiple Schools Due to Low Participation and Safety Concerns Several high schools in Iowa have decided to cancel or pause their varsity football seasons this fall, citing low student participation and safety risks as primary reasons. The affected schools include Lone Tree, Rockford, Dunkerton, Siouxland Christian, Remsen-St. Mary’s, Highland, and Mormon Trail. These developments highlight ongoing challenges faced by high school sports programs amid declining participation and safety considerations. Schools Cancelling Seasons Before Games Begin Three schools—Lone Tree, Rockford, and Dunkerton—announced their decision to cancel their entire football seasons prior to the start of any games. These schools cited insufficient player numbers and safety concerns as critical factors in their decision-making process. The cancellation effectively ends these teams’ participation for the fall season, leaving their student-athletes without traditional competition opportunities. Siouxland Christian’s Season Ends After One Game Siouxland Christian was able to play only one game before shutting down its football season. During their only contest, they trailed 60-0 at halftime and continued to face challenges in fielding an adequate roster. The team had only 16 players on its roster, a number deemed too low for safe and competitive play. The school’s superintendent indicated that canceling the season was the most responsible decision to protect student-athletes’ health and well-being. Prior to this season, Siouxland Christian’s teams recorded 1-8 records in each of the last two years, underscoring ongoing participation struggles. Pausing Seasons for Remsen-St. Mary’s, Highland, and Mormon Trail The teams from Remsen-St. Mary’s, Highland, and Mormon Trail have opted to pause their seasons temporarily. Remsen-St. Mary’s, which is set to be the champion of Iowa’s eight-player football division in 2024, entered the season with only 17 players—including just three upperclassmen after losing 10 seniors to graduation. The team has experienced injuries and had to forfeit two games after losing their first two matchups. The head coach mentioned that only 11 players were available for the team’s last game. Highland’s coach resigned from his position to advocate for season cancelation due to safety concerns, as the team was down to 13 healthy players. Efforts are underway to evaluate remaining player numbers with the aim of possibly resuming games later in the fall. Mormon Trail also paused its season, with plans to reassess and determine if play can continue subsequently. Low Participation Decline Leading to School-Wide Decisions In a related development, Des Moines Hoover High School announced it will not participate in varsity football for the 2025 season. The school plans to allow interested students to join the Des Moines Roosevelt football team instead. The decision reflects ongoing safety and interest issues within the program. Hoover’s football teams have faced recent struggles, finishing the past two seasons with an 0-9 record and experiencing considerable losses per game. The school’s principal explained that the decision was driven by concerns over safety and student interest, aiming to avoid further risks associated with low roster numbers. Head coach Theo Evans, who led Hoover in recent seasons, will transition to an assistant coaching position at Dallas Center-Grimes for upcoming seasons. Summary of Contributing Factors and Broader Context The cancellations and pauses across Iowa high schools underscore the ongoing impact of declining participation in high school football, amid increased safety concerns and shifting student interests. Schools cited these issues as critical factors influencing their decisions to protect students and ensure responsible program management. The trend raises questions about the future of high school football in Iowa, particularly for schools with limited student numbers and health risks prominent in current participation trends. As some schools explore options to resume play later in the season, others are adjusting their athletic offerings to better align with safety protocols and student interest. The ongoing assessments and decisions will shape the landscape of high school football in Iowa for the current and upcoming school years. Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic HERE Resources School Board Delays Vote on Consolidation Plan Amid Community Concerns Aptos High School Cancels Classes Amid Power Outage Trump Threatens to Federalize D.C. Police Over ICE Cooperation Tragic School Shooting in Evergreen, Colorado Massachusetts City Faces Sudden Closure of All-Girls Academy New Attendance Rules for D.C. High School Football Games Gonzaga College Football Team Crowned No. 1 Remembering the September 11 Attacks New Safety Rules Unveiled for D.C. High School Football Games Trump Threatens to Re-Federalize D.C. Police Over Immigration Additional Resources KCRG: Iowa High School Football Programs Canceled or Paused KCCI: Seven Iowa High Schools Cancel or Pause Varsity Season WHO13: Hoover High School Explores New Opportunities Wikipedia: High School Football in the United States Google Search: Iowa High School Football Participation Levels
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