The Auburn High School varsity football season is canceled

Montgomery County, Virginia – Although high school football will resume in a few weeks, Auburn High School in Montgomery County has canceled its varsity football season, so this Friday night the fields will be empty and the stands will be dark.

The school estimates that the relocation will cost them $22,000, but it was left with little option. The school believes that future and present, the emphasis on its junior varsity team, will make up for that.

When it came to calling off Auburn’s varsity football season, safety came first. The school was disappointed, but it also realized that something had to be done. Particularly when other schools’ varsity teams had a greater and more substantial number of upperclassmen.

“We didn’t feel like we’d be putting the players in a safe situation to play the younger players significant time on the varsity level,” Auburn High School athletic director Paul Dominy said, citing the players’ size, year in school, and other factors.

On Wednesdays, the JV squad will have the stands lit up in place of Friday night lights. The junior varsity will now be coached by the varsity coaches. The varsity and JV cheerleaders will be present to support the Eagles during the halftime show, which will still feature the band.

“Losing a football season means more than just losing the game; it means losing an occasion. Auburn High School Principal Patrick Hurd stated, “We lose a place for our kids to come to see a ball game on Friday nights; this is a cultural experience, Friday night football is. You lose a place for the band to play, you lose a place for the cheerleaders to cheer.”

There are a good number of freshmen on the JV team, and the school is optimistic about the program’s future. It states that coaches are eager to work with these younger players because of their intense passion for the game.

Dominy stated, “We feel like we made the best decision we could for the student-athletes who are involved. We just recognize that we are in a very difficult situation right now.”

Dominy advises Auburn High School students who are interested in football to come try out in the future. He thinks Auburn football has a future and the staff will be there to support you every step of the way to ensure your success.