News Summary
Cory Quail, head coach of Highland football team, has resigned amid rising concerns over player safety, leading to the cancellation of upcoming games. Current participation is low, with only 13 active players. Superintendent Spencer Lueders is evaluating the program to prioritize student well-being. The school community is navigating the uncertain landscape of high school football as safety remains a top priority.
Cedar Rapids, Iowa – Highland Football Coach Resigns, Calls for Suspension of Season Due to Player Safety Concerns
Coach Cory Quail has announced his resignation as head coach of the Highland football team, a decision driven by escalating concerns about the safety of players. The resignation was made public through a Facebook post, where Quail outlined his motives and expressed his desire to see the remaining games of the season canceled to protect the well-being of the athletes.
Quail highlighted the significant decline in the number of active players, with the team currently fielding only 13 players following a recent loss in which a number of injuries occurred. He pointed to low participation rates as a major concern, along with rising injury rates that he felt would put the players at undue risk. Specific instances, such as the necessity for receivers to wear lineman jerseys during a game, have underscored the precarious situation the team is facing.
Following Quail’s resignation, Highland has proceeded to cancel its next two scheduled football games, confirming that these decisions are rooted in a commitment to prioritize player safety. Superintendent Spencer Lueders has communicated that the district is actively evaluating the football program to ensure that students have a safe and supportive experience. Lueders underscored the importance of maintaining student safety and noted the resilience of the Highland football players in facing these challenges.
Despite the season’s uncertainty, some players have stepped up by volunteering to assist with junior high practices during this period of interruption. The school district is weighing several options regarding the future of the season, including potentially canceling it altogether or allowing Highland players to temporarily join teams from other districts that might have more available opportunities.
A conclusive decision regarding the football season is anticipated next week, as the administration assesses the situation’s evolving nature. It remains clear that player safety is at the forefront of all discussions and decisions moving forward.
Currently, the Highland football program is facing a critical juncture, underlined by Quail’s departure. In the absence of an interim coach, the remaining coaching staff will oversee daily operations and player development while Quail will continue his role as a physical education teacher at Highland. He has expressed a commitment to remaining involved with the students and will focus on strengthening their conditioning and overall well-being.
Quail emphasized his dedication to ensuring that this challenging episode does not define the Highland football program moving forward. His resignation comes against a backdrop of broader safety issues faced by high school sports teams, with reports indicating that several other programs, such as Siouxland Christian, have already opted to cancel their seasons due to similar concerns.
The Highland community is now facing the implications of these developments, with discussions centered on how best to navigate the uncertain landscape of high school football amidst growing safety concerns. The commitment to player well-being remains at the core of all efforts as the district seeks to balance competition with the fundamental priority of keeping students safe and healthy.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Additional Resources
- The Gazette: Tim Lovell Steps Down as Linn-Mar Football Coach
- Wikipedia: High School Football
- The Gazette: Jeff Gordon Steps Down as Iowa City Liberty Football Coach
- Google Search: High School Football Safety
- The Gazette: Ryan Luehrsmann Resigns as Head Boys Basketball Coach at Cedar Rapids Xavier
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Athletics (Sport)
- The Gazette: Kent Allison Steps Down as Football Coach at Lisbon
- Google News: High School Football Resignation
- The Gazette: Morrissey Leaving Prairie for Arizona
- Google Scholar: High School Athlete Safety
- The Gazette: Lewis Resigns as Kennedy Coach Update
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Football
Author: STAFF HERE MILWAUKEE WRITER
MILWAUKEE STAFF WRITER The MILWAUKEE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREMilwaukee.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Milwaukee, Milwaukee County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Summerfest, Milwaukee Film Festival, and the Milwaukee Boat Show. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce and Visit Milwaukee, plus leading businesses in manufacturing and brewing that power the local economy such as Harley-Davidson and MillerCoors. As part of the broader HERE network, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Wisconsin's dynamic landscape.
