Springfield-Montco forced to cancel football season

Springfield Township High School has been forced to cancel its varsity football season due to lack of participation.

The move has made official in a letter from Assistant Principal and Athletic Director Jason Pane Monday evening.

“The decision was delayed as long as possible in his hopes that more students would join the roster,” Pane wrote in the letter.

“At this time, we simply do not have enough players to safely play this year.”

The Spartans opened the season last Friday at Octorara, a 47-20 defeat.

The Suburban One League American Division feels the greatest effect from the forfeiture with Cheltenham, Hatboro-Horsham, Plymouth-Whitemarsh, Upper Dublin, Upper Moreland and Wissahickon losing a game from their schedule.

Springfield was also scheduled to face non-division opponents Lower Moreland (Sept. 2), Germantown Academy (Sept. 9) and Quakertown (Oct. 21).

Spartan Community,

It is with a heavy heart that I share with you that STHS will be cancelling out 2016-2017 varsity football season. This decision was delayed as long as possible in hopes that more students would join the roster. At this time, we simply do not have enough players to safely play this year. We will not be competing in varsity football this year.

I sympathize with our players, coaches, and the community as Friday nights in Spartan Stadium have been a staple of my life for the past several years. I am especially apologetic to this year’s senior class and to our coaching staff.  They have invested multiple years in preparation for this season and their time and effort does not go unnoticed. I appreciate the alumni association and the booster club, as both organizations have volunteered their time to help prepare our Spartans for the 2016-2017 season.  I would like to thank the parents of our players for the way they have supported their children and the team.

Moving forward, we will work to keep this year’s roster intact, and play our already scheduled junior varsity schedule. Our plan is to develop our promising youth talent in the program and return to varsity level competition.

This decision was very difficult to make, but it is what is best for our students that remains my primary focus. I take pride in fulfilling my obligation to the community and the school district in regards to protecting the health and well-being of our students. The actions of our students and community consistently remind me what Spartan Pride really means. I encourage everyone to  support our junior varsity team this year each Monday afternoon as they are the future of our football program.

Sincerely –

Jason V. Pane
Assistant Principal – Director of Athletics
Springfield Township School District
215-233-6030 ext. 2028