Doniphan Dons football canceled for 2023 season

In an announcement on social media Monday morning the Doniphan R-I Facebook page, the Doniphan Dons have canceled the football for the remainder for the 2023 season.

“Due to low participation numbers, the Doniphan High School football season wil be cancelled for the remainder of the 2023 fall season,” the post states.

Friday’s matchup against Chaffee was to be the Dons’ Homecoming game but the release states events will continue as scheduled.

“Homecoming coronation and festivities will continue as planned this Friday night. A schedule of events for the coronation will be potted soon.”

Doniphan fell to East Prairie on Friday night to fall to 0-7 on the season.

Head coach Andy Cheney said it’s sad that it had to happen.

“As head coach, physical and emotional health is by for more important than any football game,” he said.

Cheney added the Dons roster had dwindled in recent weeks as they lost as many as eight players in the last coiple of weeks.

The Dons have had their share of trials and tribulations this season.

Earlier this year, against Caruthersville, the Dons had to cancel its game against the Tigers due to low numbers.

Cheney was the interim Dons coach for its matchup against Pleasant Hope in Springfield then was named head coach in a special board meeting after Jameson Allen resigned from his coaching position at Doniphan.

“I’m looking forward,” he said. “I’m not looking back to what as happened. It’s irrelevant. All that matters now, as far as I’m concernced, is that we regroup. Give these kids some hope for the future and come up with a solid plan as a family. It’s not just me and these boys. It’s everybody that’s invested in this program - school, parents, everybody. You come up with a plan. How are we going to make things different than what they have been?”

The Dons will get to celebrate what they did this season in an awards season on Nov. 20 with the other fall sports at Doniphan.