Roster shortages, player injuries hit struggling football programs hard

Lisa Hinton-Valdrighi

by Lisa Hinton-Valdrighi

Mathews High School recently announced it has canceled the rest of the school’s upcoming varsity football schedule due to low numbers and injuries.

Unfortunately, it’s become a growing trend nationwide as smaller schools like those classified in Virginia High School League’s Class 1 with an enrollment of 475 students or fewer are struggling with low participation.

Mathews disbanded its football program in 2022 but it returned with a five-game schedule in 2024 after a two-year hiatus. The Blue Devils were scheduled to play a full 10-game schedule this year.

Mathews athletic director Amy O’Neil wrote in a release….

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