Wednesday nights were the sole time when the Auburn High School community could catch local football in their area. That’s no longer required.
After cutting the varsity program last year due to dwindling participation numbers and supporting only a junior varsity team, Auburn has reinstated a varsity squad that will once again take the field on Friday nights, per athletic director Paul Dominy.
“We have worked hard at improving our numbers and are confident that we will have a full team,†Dominy told the Times.
Members of the Auburn High School junior varsity football team stand for the national anthem ahead of an Aug. 29, 2024 game against Narrows at Henry Sink Memorial Field in Riner.
Auburn’s nixing of a varsity team in 2024 was always meant to be temporary and last for just one season. Before that, the Eagles were often forced to cancel seasons before their completion and sometimes forfeit games at halftime due to already insufficient numbers made worse by injuries.
Auburn hasn’t produced a winning season in almost a decade.
The move was made in hopes of improving development of underclassmen rather than throwing freshmen and sophomores into starting roles in the demands of varsity action. It was also done to put more attention on middle school and youth teams, and retain players.
The Eagles will open the season at home against James River on Aug. 29. Their opponents also include Smith Mountain Lake Christian Academy, Eastern Montgomery, Castlewood and Northwood, as well as their Mountain Empire District slate.
Members of the Auburn High School junior varsity football team stand for the national anthem ahead of an Aug. 29, 2024 game against Narrows at Henry Sink Memorial Field in Riner.
