News Summary

Cory Quail, head coach of Highland High School’s football team, has resigned to prioritize player safety amidst concerns of low participation and injuries. As a result, the school has canceled the next two games, including homecoming. The community supports this decision as safety takes precedence over competition, while discussions about the football season’s future continue.

Highland High School Football Coach Resigns to Advocate for Player Safety, School Cancels Next Two Games

Highland, Iowa – A Thoughtful Decision for Safety

In a surprising yet heartfelt move, Cory Quail has decided to step down as the head coach of the Highland football team, igniting a conversation about player safety that resonates deeply with students, parents, and community members alike. His resignation was shared in a post that lit up social media on Wednesday night, causing a ripple of reaction within the Highland community.

Why the Resignation?

Through his resignation, Quail has expressed hope that it would lead the school administration to consider the cancellation of the rest of the football season, a move he insists is necessary for the well-being of the student-athletes. It’s a tough decision but one he feels is crucial given the alarming _low participation numbers_ and the string of _injuries_ that has plagued the team. Currently, the Highland football squad is down to just 13 active players, raising serious safety concerns when it comes to competing with other schools.

Quail’s decision is not just about football or winning; it is fundamentally rooted in concern for safety. Teams need enough players to fill positions on the field, and with injuries taking a toll on the players, Quail simply couldn’t justify allowing them to compete when the risk is so high.

Season Paused for Safety Evaluations

In light of these events, the Highland school district has taken the significant step of officially canceling the next two games on the schedule, including an exciting homecoming game against New London. Talk about a bummer for the students! This decision comes as part of a two-week pause during which the school plans to evaluate the entire situation to ensure the safety of all student-athletes involved.

Superintendent Spencer Lueders has acknowledged the difficulty of making these cancellations but has stressed that _student safety_ must always take precedence over competition. Highland’s football team, which unfortunately lost its opening games by a combined score of 53-7, is in a challenging spot, and the discussions around the future of the season are ongoing.

What’s Next for Highland Football?

As Highland navigates this tough terrain, alternative options are already being floated around. These include the possibility of canceling the entire season altogether or even exploring the option for Highland players to join another school district’s football team for the rest of the season. Such considerations highlight just how serious things have become.

Even with his resignation, Cory Quail isn’t leaving Highland entirely. He plans to stay on as a physical education teacher and continue his work in strength and conditioning. It’s clear that his commitment to the school and the students remains strong, even if he won’t be coaching the team anymore.

Community Support and Understanding

This development has not been without local repercussions. Many community members are rallying around Quail’s decision, recognizing the significant focus on safety over the usual pressures of competition. However, it’s important to note that the cancellation of these games also has financial implications, especially for the Highland Fine Arts Boosters, who depend on concession sales during football games.

It’s not just Highland that’s facing this dilemma; other schools in the region, such as Siouxland Christian, have made the tough choice to cancel their entire football season due to similar player safety concerns. It certainly seems that this season has been a challenging one for many teams.

With Highland’s football team currently without an appointed interim coach, existing staff will step in to manage day-to-day operations until further decisions are made. The situation remains fluid, and many are hoping that Highland’s focus on player safety will foster a stronger, more resilient football program in the long run.

As the school community reflects on these changes, one thing is clear: the safety and well-being of the students will always come first.

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