Six-Time Florida State Champion Cancels 2026 High School Football Season

Jefferson County will not field varsity or junior varsity football teams after fewer than 10 students attended a preseason meeting.

Eric Bright Jr. coached Jefferson County's football team to a 2-9 record in his first season in 2025. After choosing to opt out of the FHSAA and join the Sunshine State Athletic Association for the 2026 season, the school decided to cancel the varsity and junior varsity programs because of low turnout. | Tallahassee Democrat

One of Florida’s most illustrious high school football programs has canceled its 2026 season.

Jefferson County, which has won six FHSAA state championships, will not field varsity or junior varsity teams this fall because of low participation, according to WCTV News in Tallahassee.

Fewer Than 10 Players Attend Football Meeting

Fewer than 10 students attended a football meeting last week, according to Jefferson County athletic director Eddie Metcalf. The Tigers would not even have the bare minimum 11 players to take the field. As a result, Jefferson County officials decided not to field a varsity or junior varsity team this year.

Jefferson County is coming off a 2-9 record in 2025 under first-year head coach Eric Bright -- its worst record since 2023 when it went 0-10. The school, which has a middle school/high school enrollment of less than 400 students, is located in Monticello – about 25 miles of the state’s capital, Tallahassee.

Jefferson County Will Continue Middle School Football

To help reinvigorate interest in the school’s varsity and JV programs, Metcalf is hoping the school’s middle school team will go on to play at the high school level.

The decision to cancel the varsity program comes on the heels of Jefferson County’s recent decision to leave the FHSAA to join the Sunshine State Athletic Association (SSAA) for the 2026 season. Metcalf said the school has advised the SSAA that the Tigers will not field a team this fall.

Tigers Own Six State Championships

Jefferson County’s absence on the football field this year comes as a surprise to those who know Florida high school football. The Tigers have been a winner for decades, capturing state championships in 1966, 1972, 1974, 1982, 1991 and 2011.

In 2011, Jefferson County crushed Chipley, 47-13 for the Class 1A state championship at Camping World Stadium in Orlando.

Jack Youngblood Among Jefferson County's Football Legends

Jefferson County’s most famous alum came from the 1966 team: Jack Youngblood, who went on to star for the University of Florida and then the Los Angeles Rams.

After being named an All-American at UF, the 6-foot-4, 247-pound defensive end played 14 seasons with the Rams. While in the NFL, he was a seven-time Pro Bowl selection and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2001 after making 151.5 sacks in 202 games played. He also was named to the Gator Ring of Honor.

Jeff Gardenour can be reached via email at jgardenour1962@gmail.com or X @JMarkG1962