Freshman football has always been a big part of high school life. It’s the first real chance for many athletes to represent their school, wear the jersey, and play under the stadium lights. It helps freshmen adjust to high school sports before jumping into tougher JV and varsity teams.
One major question at Skyline High School this Spring: will there even be a freshman football team next Fall?
Powell and other players think the numbers are there, they just need to get organized and committed. “I was the Skyline freshman football center. I think next year we could have a freshman team,” says David Powell (‘28). “I know we have lots of people from Forsythe coming up to play.”
Others are more doubtful about whether enough people will sign up. “I do not think there will be a freshman team next year,” says Keegan Roberts (‘28), who played tight end for the freshman team this past season. Keegan says some 8th graders may be nervous about playing. “I think kids don’t want to play football because they think they could get hurt and it is very physically demanding.”
Coach Broderick Smith, Skyline’s varsity football head coach, gave more details about what needs to happen for the team to exist. “We’ve had 43 incoming freshmen who are interested in playing,” Coach Smith explained. “However, we have only received 17 confirmations from parents so far.” Interest alone is not enough; players must be officially signed up and confirmed.
The school has set a clear goal. “If we can double the 17 players that we currently have confirmed, then yes, we’ll have a team,” Coach Smith said. That means they need at least 34 confirmed players to make the team happen. If they don’t reach that number, the current plan is to have the incoming freshmen combine with the junior varsity (JV) team instead. That would mean less playing time and fewer chances for freshmen to build skills at their own pace.
Some think more students could be encouraged to join if they knew more about the benefits of freshman football, like making new friends, learning teamwork, and getting experience before JV. “I think we can recruit other kids by telling 8th graders about Skyline football,” Keegan suggested.
Coach Smith said a final decision will be made by June 1.
While there’s still uncertainty, one thing is clear: students and coaches want a freshman football team. Whether it happens depends on how many students officially commit in the next few weeks. For now, all eyes are on the June 1 deadline and the hope of Friday night lights for next year’s freshmen.
