Wadena-Deer Creek High School Cancels Varsity Football Season

Wadena, Minnesota — Wadena-Deer Creek High School has decided to end its varsity football season early, concluding that it is no longer safe or realistic to continue playing. Head coach Kyle Petermeier conveyed this important decision in a letter to families earlier in the week, which has raised a lot of discussions among parents and players.

The issue began as injuries started accumulating for the team as they approached midseason. Coach Petermeier highlighted that the roster numbers had dropped dramatically following the team’s performance in week 7, leading to a point where only eight healthy players in grades 10 through 12 were available for their upcoming game against Staples-Motley.

“We are in a position now where we would have to trot out a majority of our team that is 14 and 15 years old, and that is not in the best interest of our kids,” stated Coach Petermeier. He emphasized that the health and safety of the players outweigh any individual game results. “Football is a physical sport, and putting out a team comprised mainly of younger players against 17 to 18-year-olds is not safe for either side,” he added.

Before calling it quits, Wadena-Deer Creek struggled throughout the season, ending with a record of 1-6 and facing losses by margins of up to 50 points. Coach Petermeier expressed pride in the team for their preparation and effort this year. He remains optimistic about the future of the Wadena-Deer Creek football program, noting that participation rates among players aged five to ninth grade are trending positively.

“Football is a game that requires strength in numbers, and we will do anything we can to keep these numbers high and keep kids out for football,” he promised, aiming to build a stronger foundation for the program moving forward.