The Dolphins have just 26 players this season, so a few injuries sustained in a Week 3 game against Goode has left the squad short-handed.
Just two weeks after forfeiting to Taft, Whitney Young has officially canceled its football season due to a dwindling roster caused by injuries and academic struggles.
Whitney Young principal Dr. Joyce Keller confirmed the move Tuesday, adding that she spoke with all the players before she made the official announcement over the school intercom at the end of the school day Monday.
Kenner said most of the players agreed with her decision.
“Obviously there were some sad faces, but I know everyone agreed this was the right decision to the for this school,” Kenner said on the phone.
The Illinois High School Association (IHSA) mandates that teams need at least 22 players to play, but the Dolphins only have 19 active players. The football program started the season with just 26 players its the roster, but the number has dropped after four players sustained injuries and three others couldn’t maintain academic eligibility.
Kenner said student-athletes can’t have multiple failing assignments in a classroom for a particular classroom in a week.
“We just don’t tolerate that,” Kenner said. “Academics are a priority. And if they can’t compete in class room, they can’t compete on the playing field or have that opportunity to play on the field.”
The news that the school was canceling the football season came four days before the Whitney Young was supposed to celebrate its homecoming game. The school has since moved the annual game to take place during the boy’s soccer game against Currie on Thursday at 4:15 p.m. The five senior football players will still be honored at the field and the team will be able to participate in the school’s pep rally.
Kenner said Whitney Young will look to rebuild its program, but wouldn’t detail how the school might go about it.
“There’s not a chance, we’re definitely going to bring football next school year,” Kenner said.
Whitney Young was 0-5 this season and coming off a 52-0 loss to Simeon High School on Friday.
