DECATUR, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA) — Decatur School District has “paused” its football program.
Decatur superintendent Dr. Steven Watkins says it is due to a lack of players to field a team safely.
The district moved to an eight-man team to address safety concerns, but it wasn’t working as intended.
In 2022, it moved back to an 11-man team but only about 15 kids tried out.
“We hope to build the program back in a couple of years, starting with the junior high program, and then move into a senior high season,” Watkins said.
Watkins says the pause has nothing to do with the LEARNS Act. He says a similar pause for the baseball team is being discussed due to similar participation issues, but a final decision hasn’t been made yet.