Iowa, September 19, 2025

News Summary

Several high schools in Iowa are cancelling or pausing their football seasons due to low participation and safety concerns. Key affected schools include Lone Tree, Rockford, Dunkerton, and others. The trend emphasizes a distressing issue within high school athletics, as both player safety and dwindling interest are driving these decisions. Coaches and school officials are now faced with the challenge of reshaping future programs to ensure athlete safety and program viability.

Iowa High Schools Face Football Season Cancellations Due to Low Participation and Safety Concerns

Multiple high schools across Iowa are grappling with the consequences of low participation numbers and safety issues, leading to the cancellation or pause of their football seasons. This fall, varsity football has been canceled or postponed for seven teams, reflecting a concerning trend in high school athletics.

Affected Schools

The schools impacted by these decisions include Lone Tree, Rockford, Dunkerton, Siouxland Christian, Remsen-St. Mary’s, Highland (Riverside), and Mormon Trail. Lone Tree, Rockford, and Dunkerton made the decision to cancel their seasons before any games had taken place. In contrast, Siouxland Christian played one game before deciding to cancel its season, having faced a crushing score of 60-0 at halftime.

Reasons Behind Cancellations

The primary reasons cited for these cancellations and pauses are low participation numbers and concerns regarding player safety. For instance, Siouxland Christian had only 16 players on its roster, a statistic that ultimately led to their season cancellation. Officials from Siouxland Christian expressed that ceasing the season was the most responsible decision to prioritize the health and well-being of their student-athletes.

Remsen-St. Mary’s, which was the eight-player champion in 2024, announced a pause in its season despite having a history of competitive play. As of the start of the current season, they had 17 players available, including just three upperclassmen, a decline after graduating 10 seniors. In addition, they had to forfeit two games due to injuries and a lack of available players.

Coaching Changes and Safety Advocacy

Highland’s football program has seen the resignation of coach Cory Quail, who stepped down to advocate for cancelation based on safety concerns, as only 13 healthy players were left in the program. Meanwhile, an effort is underway to assess the possibility of resuming games for Remsen-St. Mary’s following a set date.

Broader Implications for Iowa Football

The trend extends beyond these specific schools. For example, Des Moines Hoover High School has announced it will not field a football team for the upcoming 2025 season, again due to low participation numbers. Students from Des Moines Hoover will now have the opportunity to join the Des Moines Roosevelt program. The decision was guided by safety considerations and a decline in interest in the football program, which has struggled with a 0-9 record over the past two seasons, and a significant average loss margin.

Future of Local Teams

As the football landscape in Iowa continues to evolve, teams like Remsen-St. Mary’s are assessing their player availability in hopes of resuming competitions. However, the challenges of recruitment and ensuring the safety of athletes remain at the forefront of discussions among school officials and coaches.

Summary

The cancellation and pausing of football seasons for several Iowa high schools signal a broader issue regarding the health of high school sports programs in the state. With low participation numbers and safety concerns being the primary drivers of these decisions, schools may need to rethink their approach moving forward in ensuring the continued viability of their athletic programs.

FAQ

Key Features of Iowa High School Football Season Cancellations

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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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