According to a press release West Caldwell High School will not field a varsity football team in 2026. The Warriors will have a junior varsity team.
A statement in part said”
“We don’t have enough of our upperclassmen returning to safely field a varsity team. And moving underclassmen up just to make a full roster isn’t the best decision. We cannot send young players into games against fully grown athletes when we know it isn’t safe for them. Their health and well-being come first — even when the answer is hard. It isn’t the plan any of us hoped for, but it is the plan that’s best for our student athletes.
This year will be a reset for West Caldwell football. A chance to steady the program, keep our kids safe, and return stronger. JV football keeps going strong this fall. Varsity will look to next year.
This decision wasn’t made lightly or without feedback. Our district, our school, and our athletic department made it together. It grew out of conversations many community members started with us. The community asked us to protect the Warriors and think about the long run, and that’s what we’re doing.
It’s important that we mention how proud we are of our varsity football players. This news was tough to hear, but they have displayed a strength and maturity that only Warriors can. They are an important part of West Caldwell’s ongoing athletic strategy, and they can be proud of that forever.”