WAKEFIELD—Tidewater Academy’s middle school and junior varsity football team finished the season 2-3 with high hopes for the future.

Due to low numbers, the Warriors cancelled their varsity football season this year in lieu of the team that consists of students in sixth through 10th grades. The varsity squad had not won a game in eight years.

Tidewater Academy Athletic Director Walter Westbrook said the goal is to build the program up to varsity, but there’s no timetable at this point.

“It’s our goal for the future,” Westbrook said. “I don’t know how many years that’ll take. We’re looking to get more numbers out with the hope of getting back to varsity football.”

Westbrook said the team overcame injuries to key positions throughout the season.

“I thought we had a really good season given our size and inexperience,” Westbrook said. “We had players step up due to injury.”

Coach David Rodgers said a number of kids this year were playing football for the first time and he can build on the fundamentals with a core group of players next year.

“I feel pretty good because I’m not going to lose anybody,” Rodgers said. “Hopefully next year we won’t have to start from scratch.”

Rodgers said receivers and linebackers Benji Goodrich and Andrew Burkhouse were among the standouts this season. Payton Holdsworth also did well, taking over at quarterback for his brother Reed Holdsworth after he was hurt.

The team’s offensive line also performed well, allowing one sack all year.

Tidewater beat Kenston Forest and Alliance Christian.