Elwood may not be able to field a high school football team for the 2026 season in Indiana. The Panthers did not have enough players show up to the first day of practice.
They are hopeful for betting attendance later in the week.
If Elwood cannot reach the required roster minimum, it will be forced to cancel the entire high school football season due to the safety concerns. Its opponents will be left hanging.
Elwood High School football practice is underway.
Elwood Junior-Senior High School is located in the small town of Elwood, Indiana — approximately 50 miles northeast of Indianapolis. Elwood has a total population of less than 10,000. The high school enrolls ~650 students in Grades 7-12.
Elwood competes in 19 varsity sports as members of the Central Indiana Conference on the Class 2A level of IHSAA athletics. The Panthers do not win a lot of football games. They have a combined record of 5-44 in the last five seasons. They have not finished with a winning record since 2015.
Elwood is coming off of a 3-7 season in 2025. It may not be able to build on that record in 2026. High school football teams in Indiana began practice on Monday. The regular season is set to begin on August 21.
The Panthers need more players.
Elwood wants to play high school football in 2026. However, only 12 players showed up for the first official day of practice. Three players who are expected to return in the coming days are currently out of the state, which brings the full total to 15.
That is not enough. At least six more players must show up this week to even have a chance at a season. A decision will be made at the end of the week depending on the final head coach. The Panthers are desperate to fill out their roster.
Athletic director Ryan Vanskyock sent the following letter to families after the first practice:
We had 12 students show up tonight for the first official day of high school football practice. We also have 3 more players who were out of state today, bringing us to around 15 players.
Unfortunately, that’s still not enough to have a football season. We’re asking any high school boy who has even the slightest interest in playing football to come to the football field tomorrow at 4:00 PM. We need at least 6 more players to have a chance at a season.
At the end of this week, I may have to make the difficult decision to cancel our high school football season, a decision I truly do not want to make.Now is the time to try something new.
Now is the time to become part of a brotherhood.
Now is the time to build friendships that can last a lifetime.
Now is the time to experience one of the greatest sports in the world.
Now is the time to be an Elwood Panther Athlete
Parents, I’m asking for your help. Please talk with your son and ask if he has any interest in playing high school football. If the cost of cleats is keeping them from playing, I will personally pay for them out of my own pocket.We’re pleading for 6 more players to come to the football field tomorrow at 4:00 PM. Give football a chance you may discover something you’ll love and create memories that last a lifetime.
— Elwood Athletic Department
Should Elwood fall short of the required number, its administration will be forced to cancel the entire season. The Panthers will be forced to cancel on their nine high school football opponents with less than a month’s notice. Those teams would then need to find a replacement or lose one of their games. The latter is the more likely outcome.
Should that happen, active Elwood players might then be allowed to play for a nearby program. That has yet to be determined.