Dorchester Prepares For Football Season -- Without H.S. Team

For the first time in more than 60 years, Dorchester area residents are getting ready for

football season with no high school team to cheer.

This fall, Dorchester begins a trial co-operative with Milford for both junior high and high school football.  However, because of the Nebraska School Activities Association imposes a probationary period on the joining school when such an athletics merger takes place, DHS football players will be allowed to participate only in Milford's junior varsity competition, according to information provided to the Times.

The 2013 season will mark the first time since 1948 that Dorchester has not had a high school team.  In 1949, DHS' football program was restarted after years of not playing the game due to a student's death on the gridiron in the early 1930s.

One parent who was a standout DHS football player told us that the rebuilding process begins now.  "Dorchester can have a proud football culture once again," he said.  "But we need to take advantage of this merger with Milford to get our kids interested in playing the game, regardless if those kids come from town, the farm, from single-parent households, from low-income homes ... whatever.  We want to rebuild the idea of team and get these boys to work for something bigger than themselves.  Football can teach that, but the community must get behind our efforts. The merger with Milford is going to teach these boys a faster paced brand of ball.  In the end, it's the shot in the arm our school and community need if we want a proud football program and morale builder."

Jr. High Football (Grades 7-8):  DPS Superintendent Mitch Kubicek has informed district patrons that Dorchester school officials will hold a meeting at the school on Wednesday, Aug. 7 at 6:30 p.m. for parents of Dorchester Junior High football players.  For more information, call the school at (402) 946-2781.

Midget Football (Grades 4-7):  For the first time ever, Dorchester will be co-oping with Milford for its youth football program.  This decision is likely spurred by the co-op of the two town's high school programs, although no reason was provided to the Times.  For Dorchester area boys interested in playing on the Dorchester-Milford team, uniform checkout is Aug. 12 at the South Park practice field in Milford. Registration forms are at the post office in Dorchester and perhaps the Village Office.