Amityville Memorial High School cancels varsity football season

Amityville Memorial High School has canceled its varsity football season due to numerous player injuries sustained during preseason scrimmages and practices. School Superintendent Gina Talbert stated the decision was made to prioritize student-athlete safety and the long-term health of the program, noting that the high number of injuries among younger players created “unnecessary safety risks.”

To mitigate these risks, the school will focus its resources on a junior varsity schedule. Underclassmen in ninth, tenth, and eleventh grades are permitted to play on the JV team to build skills and camaraderie. However, seniors are ineligible to compete at the junior varsity level, leaving the school's three senior athletes unable to play this season.

Amityville is the third Long Island school to cancel its varsity football season this year, following Port Jefferson and Holy Trinity Diocesan. While Port Jefferson cited low participation numbers, Amityville’s decision is specifically tied to the recent influx of injuries among its roster.