Only 15 Players Put Oberlin High’s Football Season at Risk

OBERLIN, La. (KMDL-FM) - A high school football team in southwest Louisiana is in jeopardy of not having a season due to a lack of players.

The Oberlin High Tigers football program is entering the 2025 season with only 15 varsity players.

The Louisiana High School Athletic Association's football rule book says that each team has to begin the game with 11 eligible players.

While the 15 varsity players technically make enough for a team, so few players raises safety concerns.

“Safety is the biggest thing for us, the numbers. I’ve spoken with the principal, and the football coach, and the coaches, and the parish athletic director,” said Allen Parish Superintendent Brad Soileau.

Soileau says Oberlin has seen a decline in students, and the school only has 53 boys.

There was a community meeting on Sunday afternoon to discuss options and solutions for the program. No word yet on what came of these discussions that could help the situation.

Meanwhile, a decision is expected sometime this week by the school board on whether or not the school will field a varsity team or just a junior varsity team.

The situation is especially difficult for seniors who hope to finish their high school careers. We hope an amicable solution can come out of all this.

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“You know, like my dream is to go play pro one day. You know, hopefully it happens, you never know, but you know with the situation that’s going on now, I wonder if my dreams are coming to an end,” Oberlin player Jayden Bokemeyer told KPLC TV out of Lake Charles.