WADENA — Wadena-Deer Creek High School canceled the rest of its varsity football schedule starting Oct. 14.
Student-athletes were made aware of the decision at a meeting with coaches and administration following the school day and parents were notified following the
meeting. The scheduled home game against Staples-Motley Oct. 16 will not be played
nor will the Wolverines participate in the Section 6-2A playoffs this season.
Due to multiple injuries, WDC would only be able to dress nine student-athletes in grades 10-12 for its upcoming game. Out of concern for student safety, the administration and coaches decided to not play the team’s last regular season game.
“This very difficult decision was made following much discussion and processing,” WDC activities director Norm Gallant said. “Football is a tough, physical game. Keeping students safe and healthy are paramount in this decision. Putting multiple ninth-grade students, many of whom are as young as 14 years old, in a physical game like football against juniors and seniors who are older, bigger, faster and stronger is not good for anyone. We have had a small group of boys in this year’s junior and senior classes all the way through. We knew that coming into the season. Our entire team had a great off-season in the weight room and in speed and conditioning training. With the number of injuries sustained in our top three grades; we just cannot continue to put kids in a position where we do not have a reasonable expectation of safety.”
The team completed its junior varsity season and had good numbers of student-athletes in freshman and sophomore classes, as well as in the junior high and youth programs.
“We know we will have a small group of seniors next year, but we expect more numbers in the sophomore and junior classes,” Gallant said. “We have to make a decision that is best for our program long term. Continuing to play athletes who are too young and not physically ready to play at the varsity level just puts them in a position to fail, potentially get hurt, and not play next season.
“We are very proud of our team this year. They worked extremely hard, both during the off-season and this season. We can’t control injuries. The players are coachable and have a great mindset, despite the adversity. We reached a critical point where we had to make a tough choice. We feel for our four seniors who are still healthy, but ultimately we have to do this.”
WDC finishes the season 1-7.
Staples-Motley activities director Josh Lee said the Cardinals would entertain ideas of making this game up against a different opponent, but is not seeking out alternatives. The Cardinals are also banged up Lee said and the week of rest will be a plus moving forward for the playoffs.
The undefeated Cardinals will likely get the No. 1 seed for the Section 6-2A playoffs and will likely play Menahga in the section semifinals. The other semifinal game will likely pit Pillager vs. Osakis. The section semifinals are scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 26. The section final will be played Friday, Nov. 1, at the Fargodome.
