LINCOLN, Neb. – The Southern Valley Eagles, a high school 8-man football team from Oxford, have announced that they are cutting their season short. The cancellation, which affects both the varsity and junior varsity teams, was made public on Tuesday due to a lack of available players.
The school’s principal, Josh Lanik, expressed that the decision was not made lightly. In a press release, he stated, “Please know that we did not come to this decision lightly, but we could not in good conscience, put the few players we have left in that position.” This decision comes after a tough season for the Eagles, who finished winless through their first five games.
With the cancellation, the Eagles will not be playing their upcoming game scheduled for Friday against Hi-Line (Eustis-Farnam/Elwood). The team, which had hoped to turn their season around, faced significant challenges related to player availability, ultimately leading to this tough but necessary choice.
The situation highlights some of the struggles that smaller schools can face in maintaining sports programs, particularly when dealing with low roster numbers. The Eagles’ commitment to the safety and well-being of their players was a significant factor in making this decision.
As the Eagles step away from this season, the school community reflects on a challenging year while hoping for better conditions in future seasons. With support and rebuilding efforts, they aim to restore the team for next year and continue the tradition of high school football in their community.
