Wadena, Minnesota — The Wadena-Deer Creek Wolverines are officially done with their varsity football season. The decision, made by head coach Kyle Petermeier, comes as a result of ongoing player injuries and a dwindling roster. In a letter sent to families earlier this week, Coach Petermeier emphasized the importance of safety, stating that continuing the season was no longer “safe or realistic.”
As the season neared its end, the team found itself in a challenging situation. After their game in week 7, the team had only eight healthy players in grades 10 through 12. Coach Petermeier pointed out that this scenario would require them to field a young team, mostly made up of 14- and 15-year-olds, against older and more experienced opponents, raising serious safety concerns.
“To us, safety is ahead of any individual game result,” Coach Petermeier explained. “Football is a physical sport, and putting out a team with mostly younger players is not safe or realistic for our team, and even the opposing team.” The Wolverines finished the season with a record of 1-6, facing tough losses, some by as much as 50 points.
While this year’s season did not go as planned, Coach Petermeier praised the players for their commitment and hard work. He is optimistic about the future of the Wadena-Deer Creek football program, noting that there are strong participation numbers among younger players in grades five through nine. “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 said.
