Football: Wildwood's season in jeopardy

By Phil Anastasia

Wildwood school administrators are expected to make a decision this week on whether the Warriors will field a football team this season.

Wildwood has been force to cancel scrimmages with just 11-12 available players, according to sources.

Wildwood coach Rich Hans declined to comment on the status of the program.

Wildwood is believed to have around 20 athletes signed up for the program but only around 11-12 have been available for many practices because of injuries and other issues.

Wildwood is a member of the WJFL Classic Division.

If the Warriors cancel their season, their opponents will receive a forfeit victory.

Wildwood went 6-4 last season and qualified for the playoffs for the first time in the history of the program.

That season marked the highlight of a rebuilding program that began after Wildwood suspended varsity football for the 2005 and 2006 seasons because of low participation.

Wildwood was 0-8 in 2003 and 0-9 in 2004. The Warriors returned in 2007, going 0-8 playing an independent schedule.

Wildwood joined the Tri-County Conference for the 2008 season and went 1-7 followed by records of 0-8 in 2009, 0-9 in 2010 and 2-8 in 2011.

But last year's team, led by Delaware recruit Wesley Hills at running back, qualified for the S.J. Group 1 tournament for the first time since the creation of the playoff system in 1974.

Wildwood's eight-game schedule this season:

Sept. 14 -- Clayton

Sept. 20 -- Riverside

Sept. 27 -- Pennsville

Oct. 4 -- Maple Shade

Oct. 12 -- Salem

Oct. 18 -- Schalick

Oct. 25 -- Gloucester

Nov. 8 -- Pitman

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