Hours before its fourth game of the season, Pasadena High School (California) announced that it is canceling the rest of its 2026 varsity high school football season.
The school hopes to play its remaining games on a junior varsity-only schedule. The Bulldogs — who won the CIF Southern Section football championship for the first time since 1933 in 2024 — cited concerns about player safety as the reason.
Starting with Friday, Sept. 11's, matchup against Monrovia, Pasadena will forfeit the remaining seven games on its varsity schedule. The team lost 21 seniors from a team that went 6-5 in 2025.
The Pasadena Unified School District sent an email to the parents of players on the team on Friday, citing the loss of ten potential starters transferring
out of district.
“As you know, we began the football season with a young and enthusiastic varsity team that now has 46 members,” the school district said in its statement. “During the off-season, ten potential starters transferred to schools outside the district. These transfers affected the team’s collective skill and experience level.
“After assessing the remaining team and its potential, the school determined that the student-athletes deserved a chance to compete at the varsity level. Now, after three games, listening to coaches’ concerns, and considering how to provide a positive experience for the players, we have decided to complete the remainder of the season as a junior varsity team."
The Bulldogs had been outscored 133-14 through the first three weeks, which included a 42-6 loss to Norwalk on Sept. 4 at home.
The canceled games also include Boulder League games against Burroughs, Gabrielino, San Marino, Crescenta Valley and South Pasadena.
The biggest cancelation, of course, will be the matchup against rival Muir, also known as the Turkey Tussle. The game has historically been played at the Rose Bowl since 1954.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Pasadena High School (CA) cancels varsity season, citing player safety
