Potterville football cancels remainder of season

The Potterville football program is calling off the remainder of its season.

The school announced the decision Monday, Oct. 13 and first-year Potterville coach Kevin Shaffer said injuries played a role in his program not playing the final two games of the regular season. Potterville (3-4) was slated to close the regular season against playoff contenders Portland St. Patrick (7-0) and Bay City All Saints (5-2).

A letter sent to families by Potterville's athletic department said the program did not have enough players to put athletes in a safe position to compete.

"We had too many injuries and ran out of healthy bodies and made the decision for the best interest of the kids," Shaffer said.

Potterville fielded just a varsity football team this fall and started the season with 17 players according to Shaffer. The Vikings ended their Week 7 win over Holton with 14 but Shaffer said several of those players were dealing with injuries. 

Despite the early finish to the season, Shaffer said it was a successful year of transition for the program to the 8-man format after spending last season as an 11-player team.

"Obviously a new version of football for Potterville," Shaffer said. "I think the kids enjoyed it. The ones that are coming back I think were into 8-man. We built some momentum with it. It's just trying to get some depth obviously with the injuries and having to cancel the last two games. Right now roster numbers were razor thin."

Contact Brian Calloway at [email protected]. Follow him on X @brian_calloway and Bluesky @briancalloway.

This article originally appeared on Lansing State Journal: Potterville football cancels remainder of season