OXFORD, Neb. – In a tough decision for the community, Southern Valley Schools announced on Tuesday that they have canceled the remainder of their 2024 high school football season effective immediately. This drastic action affects both the varsity and junior varsity teams and comes on the heels of a dwindling number of players available for the season.
Josh Lanik, the Activities Director at Southern Valley, stated that the decision was not made lightly. He emphasized the difficult position the remaining players would have faced if the season continued. “For us, numbers-wise, we didn’t have enough kids available to put a safe product out on the field any further,” Lanik explained. Currently, the school had just 10 or 11 athletes in grades 9-12 who were healthy enough to play.
The school administration worked closely with the coaching staff to assess the situation before reaching a conclusion. “From a safety standpoint, we had to make that decision,” Lanik added. He recognized that some of the varsity players were still developing and would not be ready to compete effectively at this level, stating, “With a clean conscience, we couldn’t put those kids out there on a Friday night.”
Southern Valley’s football team struggled this season, starting with an overall record of 0-5 and ranking 6th in Class D1 District 9. Their upcoming match-up against Hi-Line, scheduled for Friday at 7 p.m., was one of several games that will now be missed. The team was also set to host North Platte St. Patrick’s on October 11 and Dundy County Stratton on October 18.
As the football season comes to an unexpected end, the community reflects on the challenges faced by the team and its players. The safety and well-being of the athletes remain the top priority for the Southern Valley administration.
