WAUKESHA, Wis. — Waukesha South High School announced it has canceled the remainder of its varsity football season due to an "overwhelming" number of injuries.
According to a letter sent to parents and students on Thursday, the decision was made out of concern for student-athlete safety. The cancelation includes Friday's game against Arrowhead.
Players and coaches told TMJ4 this year’s thin roster couldn’t withstand the number of players who were taken out by those injuries due in part to the high-level conference they're placed in.
"Class A is the toughest conference in the state and you gotta be ready to play every week, and we just didn’t have enough. It wasn’t safe to play," said senior co-captain, Tak Tateoka.
One of the players injured last week was another senior co-captain, CJ Johnson.
"My backup would’ve been like a sophomore or freshman coming in," said Johnson, "and I was like we can’t have that. Playing in the Classic 8 is no joke, you're playing against D1 guys every week."
Head Coach Darnell Wiltz said, as a coach, requesting to cancel the season was the right choice to make to keep their players safe.
"When you promise a mom or a dad that you’re going to take care of their kids, we truly mean it that we’re gonna take care of their kids," he said.
Wiltz says he hopes this season brings change for the future.
"We need relief for these kids and this community," said Wiltz. "I'm just glad our district backed our coaches and I appreciate them for doing that and canceling this game."
On Friday, the school shared an alternative schedule that allows for other school activities to be showcased even though the game was canceled. It included Senior football recognition, a cheer/dance routine, a band performance and a scrimmage among JV and Varsity players.
The Blackshirts were scheduled to conclude their regular season against Waukesha North on Oct. 14.
RELATED CONTENT: Cudahy varsity football team will not play final games, including Homecoming due to several injured players
Waukesha South isn't the first Southeast Wisconsin team to put a halt to its varsity games. Just last week the Cudahy High School canceled its final three varsity football games, including its homecoming game, due to several injured players.
The school decided to host an intrasquad charity scrimmage instead last Friday.
