Football Season Canceled for Elk Grove Schools

ELK GROVE – In a surprising announcement just one day before the high school football season was set to begin, the Elk Grove Unified School District (EGUSD) canceled the football season for Valley High School, citing low participation as the primary reason. This decision has sparked outrage among students and parents, who believe there may be underlying issues contributing to the cancellation. Senior football player Cory Browning expressed his frustration, stating, "Our season was wrongfully taken from us." The cancellation has broader implications beyond the football team, affecting cheerleaders, band members, and other student organizations. Junior cheerleader Cali Lloyd highlighted the impact on the entire school community, questioning the validity of the low participation claim. "The numbers just aren't adding up for low participation," she asserted, referencing past instances where teams with fewer players successfully competed in the San Joaquin section. Assistant Commissioner of CIF Sac-San Joaquin Section, Will DeBoard, noted that the decision to cancel the season ultimately lies with the school district. While EGUSD has not confirmed reports of a summer altercation among teammates, it did acknowledge the dismissal of the head coach due to a personnel matter. The district plans to hire a new head coach but has not indicated if this will occur before the season, which remains canceled. In a related development, Florin High School also saw its varsity football season canceled due to low turnout, with only 16 players on the roster. The school will continue with a junior varsity team, further highlighting the challenges facing local high school football programs.