Rose Bud, which plays in the 2-3A Conference, has canceled the remainder of its 2016 football season because of low numbers.
The Ramblers are down to 12 players from a seasonopening 29, Superintendent Chris Nail said, because of injuries and players quitting.
“We felt for our kids’ safety it was the best move right now,” Nail said.
Rose Bud was 0-4 this season and 0-1 in the 2-3A. The Ramblers were outscored 153-12, losing to Quitman 47-6, at Marshall 40-6, to Conway Christian 35-0 and at Marianna 31-0.
Nail emphasized Rose Bud is not shutting its football program down. Rose Bud will continue its junior high season. The junior high team is 3-0, Nail said.
First-year Coach Mike Perez and Athletic Director Danny Starkey met with Nail on Monday to discuss not playing the remainder of the season. Nail agreed and he, Perez and Starkey met with Rose Bud parents Tuesday to tell them the season was over.
The Arkansas Activities Association received a formal notification from Rose Bud on Wednesday about the season cancellation.
Rose Bud had 17 players entering its 2-3A opener at Marianna on Friday, but it was down to 12 players because of injuries suffered in the game. Perez told officials at halftime that if he lost one more player, Rose Bud would be forced to forfeit the game.
“First and foremost, you feel horrible for the current seniors,” Nail said of the five Rose Bud senior players. “Other than that, you’re talking about what you can do differently in the future.
“Coach Perez has done a good job of trying to keep things together. But we just had a rash of injuries this year.”