Junior Raider Football Team Folds

The Chippewa Raiders Junior football team is hanging up its cleats halfway through the NDA football season.

"Although the number of players that started the season was encouraging a recent rash of injuries and other issues has forced school Administration, in conjunction with its coaches and athletics staff, to this decision," the school said in a press release sent out on Thursday afternoon.

"Student safety is our primary concern. We apologize to other schools that have obviously been affected by this decision. The NDA convenor and executive have been notified. Junior team members will continue to practice with the school’s senior team and will be part of the Rogers’ Centre experience on Friday. The school and athletic department are planning on fielding a team again next September."

Chippewa officials said they plan to continue to field teams in all other sports and at every level. This is the first time a sport has been cancelled at Chippewa in many years.

"We are not anticipating further cancelations," Chippewa School insisted in the statement.

NDA Football officials said according to NDA procedures, Chippewa has been taken off the schedule and all wins against them thus far will not be taken into account in the standings.