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Roughriders forfeit this week, SV Eagles call off season
Southern Valley’s varsity football games are finished until 2020, while Southwest Roughriders hope to only be taking a one-week break.
Injuries and limited rosters have hit both high school programs hard during winless seasons.
Southern Valley school officials have decided enough is enough.
With only 15 players available including six freshmen, activities director Brandon Marquez said it simply isn’t healthy to continue playing 11-man football.
The Eagles (0-5) have canceled all remaining varsity games following forfeits to Gordon-Rushville and Doniphan-Trumbull these past two weeks.
“When we went up to play (unbeaten) St. Paul — who obviously are one of the best teams in the state — we had 18 guys and they brought out 65,” Marquez explained. “We have 15 now and six probably don’t way much more than 120 pounds. It’s a matter of safety for our students at this point.”
Marquez admitted some parents are not happy because they were not included in the decision-making process.
“We kept them well informed, but we didn’t want too much emotion to be involved,” he said. “It’s tough because some of our kids are pretty good. Against Wood River (32-30 loss), they converted like six fourth downs on their last drive to win. At Sandy Creek (22-15), we had the ball at their two-yard line and couldn’t quite score.”
That’s why the Eagles are already putting a plan in motion for next season.
They’ve moved goal posts and continued playing “some” JV games to get ready for eight-man football.
“Our enrollment projections show we should be under the enrollment (47 males) to play eight-man for about the next 10 years,” Marquez said. “Our guys are lifting weights and I think the outlook is good for next year. We should have 20 to 25 guys out.”
However, the Eagles started this season with 25 players and Marquez said far less arrived for opening day of practice.
Southern Valley’s goal will involve somewhat of a culture change, more positive attitudes which hopefully lead to eight-man success.
“I’ve learned something from all this, you can’t go around and beg kids to play,” he said.
Participation has not been a problem for the Southwest Roughriders, according to activities director Les Roggenkamp.
Roggenkamp said better than 70 percent of the male students are participating in fall athletics — but that’s just 19 total with five on Southwest’s solid boys cross-country team.
“Our enrollment is so lopsided (between genders) right now,” he said.
Roughrider football featured 14 players for the eight-man schedule.
Unfortunately, Roggenkamp said two have been lost to season-ending injuries during their 0-4 start.
Southwest has already played undefeated powerhouse Sutherland and an explosive Hitchcock County team last week.
Undefeated Cambridge (4-0) averages 74 points per game and was ready to host the Roughriders Friday afternoon at Cambridge.
But with only 12 players available, Southwest realized a break was the better option.
“Our plan is to take this week off and hopefully get a couple guys back,” Roggenkamp confirmed this morning about the forfeit.
The ’Riders would return to play Arapahoe (0-4) next week in Bartley.
Their other remaining regular-season games are at 3-1 Alma and home vs. unbeaten Class D-1 No. 8 Dundy County-Stratton (4-0).