Pawnee will not have a football team in 2017

Pawnee will not be able to field a football team this season.

The school informed the CHSAA office of the news on Wednesday morning, citing low participation levels.

Pawnee plays 6-man football, in the North League, and went 6-4 last season.

Last week, three other schools — Center (1A), Manzanola (6-man) and Longmont Christian (6-man) — announced they would not be fielding football teams in 2017.

Because each of these teams have dropped prior to the start of the competitive season — which begins on Thursday with Zero Week — their scheduled games become no contests for their opponents. Their opponents can also reschedule, if possible.

If any teams drop after the end of the day on Wednesday, they will forfeit their remaining games to their opponents.

Antonito, another 6-man team, was also close to dropping its team, but rallied enough players to field at team.

On Tuesday, Deer Trail announced that it would have a team this season after not having one in 2015 or 2016. The Eagles also play in 6-man.