ATHENS – The football season had seemingly just started, and it’s reportedly already at an end at Athens High School.
Due to lack of participation, Athens has cancelled its varsity football season, it was announced Wednesday, Aug. 12.
With the low numbers at the first few days of preseason practice, which started Monday, Athens made the decision to list all of its varsity game on the MHSAA and school website as cancelled. Athens was scheduled to start the season on the road at Litchfield on Aug. 28.
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Athens Athletic Director Kathy Parlin said the school is seeking options for those football players interested in playing.
“Athens will not have a varsity football season this year due to lack of participation. We are actively looking at possible options to give our student-athletes the opportunity to play,” Parlin said in a statement.
Athens head coach Ed Sybesma has coached at various schools in the state and was in his second year with the Indians. The 2026 season was going to be his 50th year of coaching at various levels.
Other games affected include those with Battle Creek-area schools Bellevue (Sept. 25), Climax-Scotts (Oct. 2), Colon (Oct. 9), St. Philip (Oct. 16) and Tekonsha (Oct. 23)
Bill Broderick can be reached at bbroderi@battlecreekenquirer.com. Follow him on X/Twitter:@billbroderick.
This article originally appeared on Battle Creek Enquirer: Athens cancels varsity football season due to lack of participation
Reporting by Bill Broderick, Battle Creek Enquirer / Battle Creek Enquirer
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Bill Broderick, Battle Creek Enquirer | USA TODAY Network
