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Memorial Day School (Ga.) pauses football program for 2025

IMG_8358by:Andy Villamarzo•07/16/25•

Andy_Villamarzo

Memorial Day football team introduced at a pep rally.
(Memorial Day School Athletics on Facebook)

Memorial Day School athletic director Andrea Bagnell put together the works for the Matadors’ football program ahead of the 2025 high school football season. The former head women’s athletic trainer at Auburn lined up new uniforms, helmets, the works. The only thing missing from the equation are players to dress and play the games.

Bagnell confirmed to Rivals on Wednesday morning that Memorial Day School is pausing its football program and canceling its 2025 season. The Matadors’ AD added the school only had one student-athlete interested in playing tackle football.

“We have a great home venue. A great head coach. New uniforms and helmets. We have everything except players,” Bagnall said.

“The kids who want to play football, they go to the bigger schools. We only had one kid who wanted to play. I don’t think I could have done much more than I did. They would’ve been playing at Memorial Stadium. Only thing with the field was we would’ve been playing on Thursday nights and I didn’t think that would be a problem. We are going to try flag football this season and see if we can generate some interest back into playing football.”

Last season, Memorial Day School took part in the Georgia Independent Athletic Association’s (GIAA) 8-Man division and finished with a record of 2-7.

The last several seasons have been tough for Memorial Day School as the program hasn’t had a winning record since the 2017 campaign. Playing in a Savannah region that’s rich in high school football, attracting players to suit up for the Matadors has been a difficult task.

Compared to other sports at the school such as boys basketball, Memorial Day School has had no such issues when it comes to players. The Matadors have won 20 or more games three times since the 2019-20 season.

According to the school’s website, the Matadors had reached the state championship eight times in a 10-year period and came away hoisting a trophy six of those trips. Now, Memorial Day School will be looking at ways to generate interest back into playing football at the once proud football program.