Mount Diablo High School has cancelled the remainder of its varsity football season after starting with four defeats, citing concerns over player safety and a shortage of healthy substitutes.
The Concord school’s coach, Fetuao Mua, announced the decision on Wednesday, saying the team would discontinue its campaign for the rest of the season. The move came as the squad faced increasing difficulties maintaining a sufficiently deep roster.
Adam Clark, superintendent of the Mount Diablo Unified School District, later clarified that the safety concerns related to an insufficient number of reserve players. He said athletes could be required to play in positions for which they had not been trained, while smaller players might be placed on the offensive or defensive lines.
Clark also warned that quarterbacks without the necessary protection skills could face greater risks when being tackled. He said the decision would affect not only the varsity players but also cheerleaders, the school band and other teams connected with the remaining fixtures.
Mount Diablo is among several Bay Area schools to have suspended or cancelled football seasons because of player availability and fitness concerns. Richmond High and James Lick High School in San Jose have also taken similar action.
