Booker High School will not have a varsity football team in 2026, Principal Jamal Crook posted on Booker’s Facebook page on Wednesday, Aug. 12. Instead, the Tornadoes will only field a junior varsity team.
The decision comes less than a month after Booker head coach Carlos Woods was dismissed leading to more than 21 players leaving the program.
The statement described the Booker football program, which had played in three straight state Final Fours, as entering a transition period.
“This decision was made after careful consideration of the current needs of our student-athletes and the long-term health of the football program,” Crook wrote.
“Following changes within the football program, it became clear that rebuilding consistent student participation, trust, and commitment would require time and intentional leadership. Rather than move forward with a varsity season before those foundations are firmly in place, Booker High School is choosing to focus this year on developing the program from the ground up.”
The Tornadoes announced hiring Lance Hoeltke to replace Woods as head coach on July 29. Messages left for Hoeltke since taking over have not been returned.
“Under the leadership of our new coaching staff, the focus is on establishing a strong team culture, developing student-athletes, strengthening relationships, and creating shared expectations around commitment, character, accountability, and teamwork,” Crook wrote. “Fielding a JV team this season provides an opportunity to build those elements intentionally while developing a strong pipeline of student-athletes prepared for varsity competition.
“We appreciate the patience, encouragement, and continued support of our students, families, alumni, and Booker community as we begin this important next chapter for Tornado football.”
Booker fined for spring football violation
On Tuesday, Aug. 11, Booker was fined by the FHSAA and Woods was suspended from coaching the Tornadoes’ fall preseason games after eighth graders participated in spring football practices, according to a report obtained by the Herald-Tribune.
FHSAA rules state eighth graders “may not participate in practice or have physical contact in any manner with student-athletes in 9th, 10th or 11th grades who are members of the high school team.”
An FHSAA investigation found incoming Booker freshmen were seen participating during an intrasquad scrimmage on an NFHS Network broadcast. The incoming students were also seen in social media posts participating in spring practices against high school students.
Booker was fined $500 and will be placed on administrative probation until May 25, 2027. Woods was also suspended from coaching or attending the fall preseason game. But before serving the suspension, Woods was dismissed as football coach and athletic director in mid-July for still unspecified reasons.
What does this mean for Booker’s opponents?
Since Woods’ dismissal, four-time state champion Venice, Palmetto and out-of-state opponent St. John’s in Washington D.C. cancelled their regular-season games against Booker, leaving the Tornadoes without opponents for the first three weeks of the season. They were also scheduled to play Valdosta, Georgia, and Wellen Park in non-district games.
Manatee also cancelled its fall classic game against the Tornadoes, scheduled for Aug.14.
Booker shared District 3A-12 with Bayshore, Braden River, Cardinal Mooney and Southeast. All four of those teams now have an open date on their schedules and will have to try to find a new opponent on the eve of the season.
Is Carlos Woods under investigation?
On July 30, the Sarasota Police Department released a statement stating Woods was being investigated criminally after the police department received allegations “from an outside agency.”
“The investigation is active and ongoing,” the statement said. “At this time, the criminal investigation involving Mr. Woods does not involve any harm or wrongdoings toward any student.”
The SPD has no updates as of Monday, Aug. 10, stating that the criminal investigation is still ongoing.
Woods has denied his involvement in any criminal investigation in a statement posted to his Facebook page on July 29.
“I am not the subject of any active criminal investigation,” Woods wrote, adding later, “I have always been willing to answer questions honestly and transparently, and I remain committed to protecting my reputation and the truth.”
In 2025, Woods replaced former coach and athletic director Scottie Littles after he resigned in April 2025. Littles was suspended twice by the FHSAA during his three seasons leading the Tornadoes. He had a six-game suspension reduced to three games in 2025 after an FHSAA investigation determined Littles violated its improper conduct and impermissible benefits policy for meeting with a Riverview student and his mother.
He was fined $5,000 and placed on a one-year probationary program. Littles also received a three-game suspension for use of profanity toward game officials during a 2024 Class 3A state semifinal game, while the school received a $550 fine.
This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Booker High cancels 2026 varsity football season, will only play JV
Reporting by Emma Moon, Sarasota Herald-Tribune / Sarasota Herald-Tribune
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Emma Moon, Sarasota Herald-Tribune | USA TODAY Network
