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The Class 2A state champ in 2023 and 2024 and a Class 3A playoff team last year, Caravel Academy has decided to not play varsity football in 2026.
School officials cited a shortage of players in making the decision. The Buccaneers will play a junior varsity schedule.
“After careful consideration and extensive evaluation of our football program, Caravel Academy has made the difficult decision not to field a varsity football team for the 2026 season,” Head of School Jerry Lamey wrote in a June 15 Facebook post.
“This decision was not made lightly. Due to a combination of factors, including a low projected roster size, the graduation of a significant number of student-athletes, and the loss of players through transfers, we have determined that we cannot safely and responsibly sustain a varsity football program this fall.”
Caravel was moved up from Class 2A to 3A last year after its two unbeaten seasons, thereby grouped with the state’s largest and most successful football programs.
The Bucs went 6-4 overall, losing to eventual 3A champ Middletown, twice in close games against Appoquinimink, the latter in the state quarterfinals, and state runner-up Salesianum. Caravel forfeited its game to Sallies Oct. 31 because of safety concerns resulting from a shortage of experienced players.
They opened the season 4-0, including a 42-18 rout of eventual Class 2A state champ Red Lion.
Caravel had 39 players in its program, including 10 freshmen, in 2025 according to its roster on Websites4sports.com. There were eight juniors on last year’s roster who would be seniors this year but some have transferred.
Caravel had expressed concerns about such potential trouble when its forthcoming move to 3A was announced in December of 2024.
“The health and safety of our student-athletes remain our highest priority,” Lamey wrote in the June 15 pots. “Football is a physically demanding sport that requires adequate roster depth to ensure safe practice environments, proper player rotation, and competitive game participation. At this time, we do not believe we can provide those conditions at the varsity level.”
Caravel had nine scheduled games this fall, against Red Lion, St. Georges, Dover, Caesar Rodney and district foes Middletown, Appo, Salesianum, William Penn and Hodgson. Those schools will now scramble to fill those slots.
Lamey added that the decision was “disappointing for our players, families, alumni, and supporters,” but “the responsible decision for the long-term health of the program. Caravel Academy remains committed to evaluating opportunities to rebuild and strengthen our football program for the future.”
He promised Caravel would “continue to assess the future of football” at the school “and explore avenues for growth and sustainability” in an attempt to “position the program for long-term success.”
Contact Kevin Tresolini at [email protected] and follow on Twitter @kevintresolini. Support local journalism by subscribing to delawareonline.com and our DE Game Day newsletter.
This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Caravel cancels 2026 varsity football schedule due to player shortage
Continue reading...
School officials cited a shortage of players in making the decision. The Buccaneers will play a junior varsity schedule.
“After careful consideration and extensive evaluation of our football program, Caravel Academy has made the difficult decision not to field a varsity football team for the 2026 season,” Head of School Jerry Lamey wrote in a June 15 Facebook post.
“This decision was not made lightly. Due to a combination of factors, including a low projected roster size, the graduation of a significant number of student-athletes, and the loss of players through transfers, we have determined that we cannot safely and responsibly sustain a varsity football program this fall.”
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Caravel was moved up from Class 2A to 3A last year after its two unbeaten seasons, thereby grouped with the state’s largest and most successful football programs.
The Bucs went 6-4 overall, losing to eventual 3A champ Middletown, twice in close games against Appoquinimink, the latter in the state quarterfinals, and state runner-up Salesianum. Caravel forfeited its game to Sallies Oct. 31 because of safety concerns resulting from a shortage of experienced players.
They opened the season 4-0, including a 42-18 rout of eventual Class 2A state champ Red Lion.
Caravel had 39 players in its program, including 10 freshmen, in 2025 according to its roster on Websites4sports.com. There were eight juniors on last year’s roster who would be seniors this year but some have transferred.
You must be registered for see images
Caravel had expressed concerns about such potential trouble when its forthcoming move to 3A was announced in December of 2024.
“The health and safety of our student-athletes remain our highest priority,” Lamey wrote in the June 15 pots. “Football is a physically demanding sport that requires adequate roster depth to ensure safe practice environments, proper player rotation, and competitive game participation. At this time, we do not believe we can provide those conditions at the varsity level.”
Caravel had nine scheduled games this fall, against Red Lion, St. Georges, Dover, Caesar Rodney and district foes Middletown, Appo, Salesianum, William Penn and Hodgson. Those schools will now scramble to fill those slots.
Lamey added that the decision was “disappointing for our players, families, alumni, and supporters,” but “the responsible decision for the long-term health of the program. Caravel Academy remains committed to evaluating opportunities to rebuild and strengthen our football program for the future.”
He promised Caravel would “continue to assess the future of football” at the school “and explore avenues for growth and sustainability” in an attempt to “position the program for long-term success.”
Contact Kevin Tresolini at [email protected] and follow on Twitter @kevintresolini. Support local journalism by subscribing to delawareonline.com and our DE Game Day newsletter.
This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Caravel cancels 2026 varsity football schedule due to player shortage
Continue reading...
