09/24/2026
West Bladen varsity football will not finish out the 2026 season, but they will field a JV team.
West Bladen High School announced Thursday that the remainder of the varsity football season has been canceled after the Knights were left with a depleted roster and not enough healthy players to safely continue playing.
School administrators, athletic officials and the coaching staff met and determined that the lack of depth made it difficult to properly rotate players or replace them if injuries or fatigue occurred.
West Bladen Principal Chris Orrock said the decision was made with the health and safety of the student-athletes as the priority, while also recognizing the commitment that the players, coaches, families and supporters have poured into the program.
Athletic Director Brett Jackson echoed that, saying the decision “does not diminish their hard work or the commitment they have shown to their teammates, coaches, school, and community.”
As for Homecoming on Oct. 2, school officials are working to keep as much of the planned celebration intact as possible. They are hoping to move a JV game to that date so the school can still hold the Tackle Out Cancer fundraiser and have the U.S. Army Golden Knights parachute team appearance.
More details on the Oct. 2 schedule are expected once those plans are finalized.
This is obviously a tough way for a football season to end, especially for the players who have put in countless hours to represent West Bladen. Whatever comes next, those players deserve to have their effort and commitment recognized.
Source: WECT
