Spring Creek football put on ice as program works to field team

Gators cancel nonconference games because of low numbers, leaving players and families waiting for answers as school approaches

Spring Creek football will not play its scheduled nonconference games this season after low summer participation left the program without enough players to safely field a team.

The door, however, has not completely closed on football at Spring Creek.

Athletic director Troy Smoothers told Neuse News Sports the school plans to make another attempt to field a team once students return to school.

“We are going to try to get team together once school starts,” Smoothers said. “We have canceled all non conference games at this time.”

Smoothers said turnout during the summer ultimately forced the school to make changes to the schedule.

“Turn out during the summer was not good,” Smoothers said. “We could not safely field a team with the numbers we had out during the summer. We are committed to working towards fielding a team.”

The uncertainty has already created a ripple effect for other area football programs.

South Lenoir and Eastern Wayne were both scheduled to play Spring Creek during the nonconference portion of their schedules. With those games no longer taking place, the two schools found a solution by scheduling each other.

The junior varsity teams will play Sept. 10 at Eastern Wayne, followed by the varsity matchup Sept. 11 at South Lenoir.

While the schedule changes give those programs an opportunity to replace their lost games, Spring Creek players and families are left waiting to see what happens next.

For seniors, the uncertainty carries additional weight. If Spring Creek is ultimately unable to field a team, they could lose their final opportunity to play high school football.

One parent of a Spring Creek senior described the situation as “a roller coaster” while discussing what the uncertainty has meant for his family.

“My Son has been robbed of walking on the 50 yard line during homecoming but this doesn’t only affect my Son,” the parent said. “This will affect the cheerleaders, the marching band, and the money that Friday night lights bring to the school!”

The situation extends beyond wins, losses and a football schedule. Friday night football traditionally involves numerous students and organizations, including cheerleaders and the marching band, while also bringing families and supporters onto campus.

But Spring Creek has not officially closed the book on the season.

The distinction is important: The Gators have canceled their nonconference games, but Smoothers said the school remains committed to trying to field a team.

That effort will continue once school begins, when Spring Creek will see whether additional students come out for football and whether the program can reach numbers officials believe are sufficient to safely put a team on the field.

Until then, Spring Creek football remains on ice — with players, parents and the surrounding school community waiting to see whether there will still be a season.