HS Tackles Participation Doubts, Will Proceed With Football Season

Wildwood High School plans to play a full football schedule this season, Warriors athletic director Christel Pond said Monday.

Pond said the Warriors had around 25 players at practice last week and decided to proceed with the season.

Pond said school officials had considered shutting down the program after many summer practice sessions were attended by around 10 to 12 players.

But Pond said coaches and school officials were able to encourage additional students to join a program that enjoyed the best season in its recent history in 2012.

"We were able to recruit some students and convince them to make the commitment," Pond said. "We're very encouraged."

Wildwood opens its season Saturday at Clayton in a West Jersey Football League Classic Division game.

The Warriors have eight games scheduled for this season, plus a consolation game or playoff game.

Wildwood last season went 6-4 and qualified for the South Jersey Group 1 tournament for the first time since the creation of the playoff system in 1974.

"We had such a great year last year - great for the kids, the school, the community," Pond said. "We're really hopeful we can keep the program going."

Wildwood suspended play in 2005 and 2006 because of low turnout. The Warriors won just three games, total, from 2003 to 2011 but were highly competitive last season behind running back Wesley Hills, now a freshman at the University of Delaware.

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