Hull-Daisetta HS cancels varsity football season after not having enough players to field team
DAISETTA, Texas (KTRK) -- For what school leaders believe is the first time in Hull-Daisetta High School history, the Friday night lights have gone dark this season.
The school has canceled the remainder of its varsity football schedule, saying it does not have enough players to safely field a team at the Class 2A level. Hull-Daisetta will instead field a junior varsity program, giving those who want to play the chance to do so while the district works through its shrinking enrollment and roster numbers.
Superintendent Tim Bartram said the decision was driven primarily by player safety. The district's high school enrollment fell from 104 students last year to 95 students this year, according to Bartram. The varsity football roster had only 15 players, Coach and Athletic Director Jarett Thibodeaux said, and most of those athletes are first-year students.
"The young men wanted to go to compete," Thibodeaux said. "It wasn't like they didn't want to go do it. Their spirits are high, and they want to play football, and we want them to play football, so we're committed to providing opportunities for them to do that."
The decline is part of a larger concern for public schools across Texas. The Texas Education Agency's most recent statewide data shows Texas public schools lost more than 76,000 students during the last school year. However, the causes and impacts can vary widely by district.
For many in Daisetta, the loss goes beyond football. "Friday night football is a tradition," resident Emily Shields said. "Where are you going to eat supper at? At the football game. Where are your kids going to hang out in town? There's not much to do. You go to the football game."
Bartram said declining enrollment, families moving away, and the team's recent struggles all contributed to the decision. If enrollment remains low, the district may even consider switching to six-man football, according to Bartram. He said it was important to still have JV games not only for the players, but for the band members and cheerleaders who get a chance to perform.
The cancellation means each missed varsity game will be recorded as a forfeit, giving the scheduled opponent a win.
