Farewell to football at one local high school

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Robert Bateman High School is cancelling all of its football programs for the year because the principal fears students may be hurt and says safety comes first. Mark Duley, Robert Bateman principal says the number of kids interested in playing football at his school has dropped. He’s worried that sticking juniors and seniors together on a varsity team could lead to life changing injuries which is a risk he isn’t willing to take.

“Offensive line is there to protect the quarterback and if they can’t do that because the people who are attacking are able to get around them and quickly close in on the quarterback then the quarterback can suffer significant injuries.”

Duley says the football program isn’t cancelled forever. If there are enough students to fill the appropriate positions next year football may return. But students worry they’re missing out for a whole year.

“As you play you get bigger, you get more experience and you learn ways to play without getting hurt.”