SPRINGFIELD — For the second consecutive season, varsity football will not be played for Central High School in 2026.
With more players competing this season at the junior varsity level, Central is confident it is setting the right foundation for a bright future. With plans to update Harrison Stadium and a passionate young coach, Central football believes it is making the right next steps.
“If we are going to do this, let’s do it in the right way,” Springfield Public Schools Athletic Director Josh Scott told the News-Leader. “Let’s continue to build this and give these kids a true JV year in order to join the Ozark Conference next year.”
Numbers low across Missouri
Last year, Central had less than 20 players during its junior varsity schedule. The Bulldogs were unable to
complete the schedule due to injuries and other players departing the roster.
This summer, the team has improved upon its numbers. The roster is made up mostly of young players, like underclassmen, who do not have the experience required to play a Class 5 or Class 6 schedule. During summer workouts, Central had around 20 players practice consistently.
“I don’t see how you play a varsity football game without 40-50 kids,” Scott said.
According to Scott, this is not just a Central or Springfield Public Schools problem. Football numbers are declining around the area.
“You are seeing numbers decline around Missouri,” Scott said. “We just happen to be the first school to do it. Ours was about being forthright about how we want to build our program.”
Who is Central’s new head football coach?
John Ely was hired as Central’s newest football coach in January. He’s been wildly impressive, according to Scott.
While still maintaining his former teaching job in Kansas, Ely would drive to Springfield to connect with players, coaches and other members of the Central community most weekends. This sacrifice has set the tone for the upcoming school year.
“We made a great hire. It was one of the best interviews that I have ever sat in,” Scott said about Ely.
Ely is a Lawrence, Kansas native who has arrived in Springfield after coaching at his alma mater, Lawrence High, for the previous two years.
During the hiring process, Ely understood the situation at Central with the team’s lack of numbers. According to Scott, it wasn’t told directly to Ely that the 2026 season could be a junior varsity season only, but it was implied.
“We told him that our goal this August was to play a varsity football schedule,” Scott said. “But we couldn’t do that without student-athletes showing up. He’s got a great coaching staff, and everybody is on board. This is our best way to get back to playing Friday night high school football.”
With Ely’s work ethic and a bright future for Central’s Harrison Stadium, Scott is confident that Central can get back to playing and competing at a high level in 2027.
The future of Harrison Stadium
During the Springfield Public Schools annual budget meeting this summer, the board set aside $35,708,500 for expenditures on new furniture, technology, and other improvements that are not funded by bonds. This total includes many updated HVAC projects to area schools.
The budget includes improvements to Harrison Stadium. The board has a budget cost set at $10 millionfor the stadium’s renovation.
“It’s an obvious need,” Scott said. “It is what should be next. It’s a pretty landlocked stadium right now. So we are trying to be very creative in how we do this. I’m very proud of it.”
In early spring, SPS executed a $485,000 contract with Oke-Thomas and Associates to deliver the plan of the new facility.
Harrison Stadium has been an historical center for Springfield, created in 1936. Scott explained that upgrades to the facility are necessary for Central, the school district, and nearby Drury University.
“Our soccer, track, football will all get a new home in Harrison Stadium,” Scott said. “We see what others have, and we are going to fix a situation where our Central students were behind.”
Friday nights are not over for Central
When the football team didn’t play on a Friday night last season, volleyball stepped in. The Bulldogs hosted a volleyball match on the football field under the lights to great fanfare.
It worked so well that Scott and Central’s administration are committed to highlighting other activity groups on Friday nights this fall.
“We are working really hard to move a soccer game to a Friday night under the lights with an opponent for homecoming,” Scott said.
Another major event for Central soccer will be on Wednesday, Sept. 16. The Bulldogs will face Hillcrest at Missouri State. The game will follow Missouri State’s clash against Kansas City.
“We are committed to give them opportunities to compete and have their parents see what they are doing, and it just might not be football,” Scott said.
Liam Keating covers high school sports and Missouri State athletics for The Springfield News-Leader. Send stats or information to him at Lkeating@usatodayco.com
This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: Why Central High School is pausing varsity football, focusing on foundation
