Two high schools in the Elk Grove Unified School District are canceling this year's football season. Valley High School canceled its season for both varsity and junior varsity teams. One of the reasons the district cited for the cancellation was because the school fired its head coach.In a statement to KCRA 3, the district said the school’s coach was released “due to a personnel matter resulting from an investigation.” No other football staff at the school could commit to becoming the head coach for the entire season, spokesperson Lori Wallace said.The district did not explain why the coach was being investigated. The district also cited low turnout among student-athletes this season, saying there weren’t enough players to make a complete varsity or junior varsity team at Valley High. Wallace said homecoming has not been canceled.Meanwhile, Florin High School won't have a varsity football team this season because of low athlete turnout, the district said. The school will only field a junior varsity team, and juniors will be allowed to play on it, the district said. Wallace said that Valley High students who want to play high school football are eligible to transfer to another school in the district. Florin High seniors are being allowed the same transfer opportunity. Valley High School students speak outKCRA 3 spoke with students at Valley High School who said the decision to call off the football season impacts the entire school."It’s the cheerleading, our band, ASB, link crew like it kind of takes a village to come together and put all these programs on. So, it affects everybody not just the football team,” Valley High School cheerleader Cali Lloyd said.“It’s kind of sad because, you know, we want to cheer, and band wants to perform,” Valley High School Cheerleader Jaida Smith said. “I like Valley. I like cheering for them.”Sophom*ore football player Jaden Carter said it’s a big blow, especially after all the work they've put in this summer.“It caught us by surprise because it came out of nowhere,” Carter said. “There was a lot of blood, sweat and tears. We've been working for it since last school year, the start of the school year. It's not fair.”The district said the athletes can transfer to a new school within the district without a sit-out period to play football this season. Students said some of them already have."We want them to because, you know, it's for their career,” Carter said."Football's their future so they need to get their last season if they want to get scholarships or offers,” Lloyd said.While Valley High School cites low participation for the cancellation, some students said the team has gone on with fewer players in the past. Regardless, they’re hopeful they’ll be back under the Friday night lights by next year."We're going to keep fighting. We're going to keep trying to get our season back,” Carter said.Students have started a Change.org petition to bring back the season and help find a head coach. See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter
Two high schools in the Elk Grove Unified School District are canceling this year's football season.
Valley High School canceled its season for both varsity and junior varsity teams.
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One of the reasons the district cited for the cancellation was because the school fired its head coach.
In a statement to KCRA 3, the district said the school’s coach was released “due to a personnel matter resulting from an investigation.” No other football staff at the school could commit to becoming the head coach for the entire season, spokesperson Lori Wallace said.
The district did not explain why the coach was being investigated.
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The district also cited low turnout among student-athletes this season, saying there weren’t enough players to make a complete varsity or junior varsity team at Valley High.
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Wallace said homecoming has not been canceled.
Meanwhile, Florin High School won't have a varsity football team this season because of low athlete turnout, the district said.
The school will only field a junior varsity team, and juniors will be allowed to play on it, the district said.
Wallace said that Valley High students who want to play high school football are eligible to transfer to another school in the district. Florin High seniors are being allowed the same transfer opportunity.
Valley High School students speak out
KCRA 3 spoke with students at Valley High School who said the decision to call off the football season impacts the entire school.
"It’s the cheerleading, our band, ASB, link crew like it kind of takes a village to come together and put all these programs on. So, it affects everybody not just the football team,” Valley High School cheerleader Cali Lloyd said.
“It’s kind of sad because, you know, we want to cheer, and band wants to perform,” Valley High School Cheerleader Jaida Smith said. “I like Valley. I like cheering for them.”
Sophom*ore football player Jaden Carter said it’s a big blow, especially after all the work they've put in this summer.
“It caught us by surprise because it came out of nowhere,” Carter said. “There was a lot of blood, sweat and tears. We've been working for it since last school year, the start of the school year. It's not fair.”
The district said the athletes can transfer to a new school within the district without a sit-out period to play football this season. Students said some of them already have.
"We want them to because, you know, it's for their career,” Carter said.
"Football's their future so they need to get their last season if they want to get scholarships or offers,” Lloyd said.
While Valley High School cites low participation for the cancellation, some students said the team has gone on with fewer players in the past. Regardless, they’re hopeful they’ll be back under the Friday night lights by next year.
"We're going to keep fighting. We're going to keep trying to get our season back,” Carter said.
Students have started a Change.org petition to bring back the season and help find a head coach.
See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter
