HOLLAND, MI (WHTC-AM/FM, Sept. 6, 2022) – Two weeks into the 2022 football season and Holland High has pulled the plug on its varsity football season.
Following a Tuesday evening meeting with players and parents, the school’s athletic director, Blake Muller, announced that the Dutch will honor the commitment to play OK Green conference games at Mona Shores this coming Friday and versus Zeeland West at Ray & Sue Smith Stadium on the following Friday, September 16, before suspending the varsity program until 2023. Holland High’s junior varsity program will continue through the end of the season. The district said that the decision was made, “In order to protect players from potential injury, and to provide a greater opportunity for long-term growth of the varsity football program.”
Mueller issued the following statement through the district: “With such a low number of upperclassmen, some of whom are playing this year for the first time, we have asked sophomores to fill most roster positions against varsity competition where there is a clear physical and developmental difference on the field.
“We are so proud of the fight that this team has shown since the first day of practice and the work they have put in to make these first four weeks possible. From recruiting friends to join the team, to lacing up despite being physically out-manned and out-matched, the efforts of this team will be remembered as they have helped us rebuild the Holland Football program.”
Holland lost its first two games under first-year coach Will Siffin by scores of 58-0 to city rival Holland Christian at home and 63-8 at Comstock Park. The Dutch have won just five of 37 games since posting a 6-4 mark in 2017, the school’s only winning season since 2011.
Six HHS seniors will end their high school football careers on September 16th: Mateo Clawson, Nolan Currier, Paul Klomparens, Mario Lee, Donal Morin and Santiago Solano. The other varsity players will assimilate into the JV program.
Among the games canceled by this move was the scheduled Homecoming contest versus Wyoming on September 30. School officials are working to adjust plans accordingly.
Comments