South Eugene High School announced this week that it will not field a varsity football team in the 2026 season, a decision driven by a combination of safety concerns and a roster that is woefully short on experienced players.
A Season Cut Short
Only 13 of the 27 athletes who had signed up possess prior football experience, leaving the majority of the squad without the conditioning and tactical foundation needed for a full‑contact schedule.
The school cited player safety as the primary factor behind the cancellation, noting that the limited depth made the traditional varsity slate untenable.
A Program in Transition
Historically, the Axe have struggled to find consistent success; their last winning season came in 2019 under coach Kenny Koberstein, and the program has posted a 3‑33 record over the past four years, including winless campaigns in 2020 and 2021.
In 2025, first‑year head coach Eric Scott guided the team to a 0‑9 record, though early games against rival North Eugene showed flashes of competitiveness before injuries forced a forfeit against Thurston.
Looking Ahead
The decision also means the team will drop from the Class 5A Midwestern League to a junior‑varsity schedule, a move that reflects both the Oregon School Activities Association’s ‘play‑down’ option and the school’s effort to prioritize development over immediate competition.
Athletic director Jim Moore and head coach Eric Scott remain confident that the current coaching staff can turn the program around, but they acknowledge that rebuilding will require more than a single season of junior‑varsity play.
A key obstacle is the absence of a youth football feeder program; without a pipeline of trained youngsters, the school is drafting a long‑term plan to restore a sustainable recruitment pipeline.
Officials say the new plan will focus on community outreach, partnerships with local clubs, and gradual re‑introduction of structured youth leagues, aiming to lay the groundwork for a resurgence of the varsity program in the coming years.