Low turnout leads to Cleveland dropping varsity football schedule; Warriors to play JV this season

The Warriors had only 25 players turn out this season, including three seniors they hope will be allowed to play — the team will need to reach an agreement with its JV opponents to clear them.

By René Ferrán| Photo by Taylor Balkom

The Cleveland football program has canceled its varsity schedule for this season, opting to play a JV slate after consulting with the PIL athletic department.

The Warriors had only 25 players turn out this season, including three seniors they hope will be allowed to play — the team will need to reach an agreement with its JV opponents to clear them.

Cleveland kept one varsity opponent — Parkrose of the Class 5A NWOC East — and will play a six-game JV schedule.

First-year Warriors coach Trevor Smith, the program's fourth coach in the past four seasons, said he hopes to add players over the next couple of weeks with an eye toward building for the 2022 season.

“We’re going to keep recruiting and talking to kids,” Smith told OSAAtoday.