West Caldwell High School has announced that it will field a junior varsity football team during the 2026 season but will not compete at the varsity level.

Following a comprehensive evaluation of player participation numbers, school and district administrators, along with the athletic department, determined there are not enough returning upperclassmen to safely field a varsity roster. School officials also concluded that moving underclassmen into varsity competition solely to meet roster requirements would not be in the best interest of student-athlete safety.

“The health, safety, and well-being of student-athletes must remain the top priority,” school officials said. “While this is not the outcome anyone hoped for, it is the decision that best serves the long-term future of West Caldwell football.”

The 2026 season will serve as an opportunity to strengthen the program, continue player development through the junior varsity level, and build a solid foundation for the return of varsity football in 2027.

School officials emphasized that the decision followed extensive discussions involving district leadership, school administration, the athletic department, and members of the West Caldwell community. Community feedback consistently reinforced the importance of prioritizing student safety while taking a long-term approach to rebuilding the football program.

West Caldwell also recognized the leadership and character demonstrated by its varsity football players throughout the process. Despite the disappointment surrounding the announcement, those student-athletes have responded with maturity and resilience while remaining an important part of the program’s future.

West Caldwell High School remains committed to the future of Warrior football and encourages the community to continue supporting the program by attending junior varsity games this fall. School officials are confident the steps being taken this season will help position the Warriors for long-term success and the return of varsity football in 2027.

West Caldwell is the third team in western North Carolina that has had a season with fielding a varsity team. East Rutherford cited low participation and a lack of experienced upperclassmen while maintaining a JV team in 2021. Patton did something similar in 2024. Both teams fielded a full varsity team the following season.