Another Texas high school football team cancels season amid mounting injuries

Another Texas high school football team has ended its season early as injuries and declining participation affect programs across the state.

Meridian High School, about 70 miles south of Fort Worth, announced Wednesday that it would cancel the rest of its football season because of mounting injuries, according to Chron.

The Yellow Jackets, who compete in Class 2A Division II, finished 1-7 and will forfeit their final two games against Santo and Mart.

“This was an extremely difficult decision and one that was not made lightly,” Meridian head coach and athletic director Jim Kerbow said in a statement.

“The safety and well-being of our student-athletes must always come first.”

Meridian had been outscored 96-0 in its previous two games against Crawford and Frost. The district also canceled its junior high football season in September because of low participation.

Meridian joins several Texas schools, including Austin’s Liberal Arts and Science Academy, Keene, Baird and Grapeland, that have canceled seasons or forfeited multiple games amid injuries or low roster numbers, according to Chron.

The cancellations come amid declining youth tackle football participation nationwide. Participation among children ages 13 to 17 fell 2.9% from 2019 to 2025, while participation among children ages 6 to 12 dropped 6.9%, according to the Aspen Institute’s Project Play.

Despite the disappointment, Kerbow said protecting players remains the district’s top priority.

“We are proud of the effort they have given to Meridian football,” he said.

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This article originally published at Another Texas high school football team cancels season amid mounting injuries.