WAKEFIELD—Due to a lack of participation, Tidewater Academy has canceled its varsity football season.

The Warriors will instead play six games this year with a junior varsity/middle school team, said TA Athletic Director Walter Westbrook.

“We’ve got to build the numbers,” Westbrook said.

The varsity team has not won a game in eight years, and Coach David Rodgers believes that winning a game this season could help build excitement for the program and bring in more players.

The varsity team had 11 players, but not more than nine showed for any of the practices. The hope is that the varsity program can rebuild after junior varsity and middle school players gain experience.

Rodgers, who coached the varsity team for three years, will coach the junior varsity/middle school team and begin the rebuilding process by teaching the basics. The team has 21 players signed up.

“I’m trying to build them up so by the time they get to varsity they’ll be ready,” Rodgers said. “Preparation is similar. It’s about making it simpler for the younger guys.”