Hull-Daisetta ISD has canceled the remainder of its 2026 varsity football schedule because it does not have enough available players to safely continue the season.
Superintendent Tim Bartram announced the decision Wednesday, Sept. 9, in a statement emailed to local media, saying the district made the decision after careful consideration.
“While this is certainly not the outcome any of us wanted, our responsibility must always be to put the safety and well-being of our students first,” Bartram said.
The cancellation does not mean the end of football this fall for the players who remain on the team.
Bartram said district administrators and coaches are working to put together a junior varsity schedule for the remainder of the season, allowing the players to continue competing while developing their skills in what the district believes will be a safer and more appropriate environment.
“We believe this approach gives our young men the opportunity to continue building the fundamentals, teamwork, discipline, and character that are so important to the Bobcat football program,” Bartram said.
The district has not yet announced which schools Hull-Daisetta could face under the revised JV schedule. Bartram asked for patience while administrators and coaches work with other districts to arrange games.
“We will send out notification as soon as JV games are scheduled and agreed upon. Please be patient as we work through this process,” he said.
Bartram also offered encouragement to the players whose season is taking an unexpected turn.
“Keep working. Keep believing. Keep getting better,” he said. “Your season may look different than we anticipated, but the opportunity to grow and represent Hull-Daisetta remains.”
Bartram thanked the district’s coaches, parents and the Bobcat community for their support, understanding and commitment to the students.
“This is about putting our students first and giving them the best opportunity to succeed safely,” he said.
And not one mention of that shiny little athletic director Tibbydoe.