A lack of numbers has forced Central Junior High to suspend its ninth-grade football program this fall.

Principal Ted Juneau said the seven CJHS ninth-graders who expressed interest in playing football were invited to play for South Junior High instead.

Juneau said he didn’t believe the school district’s new $50 pay-to-play participation fee was a factor in the small turnout because last year’s eighth-grade team finished the season with only 12 players.

“The numbers just aren’t there to support it,” Juneau said.

This year’s Central Junior High eighth-grade squad has 27 members and Juneau said if interest is sustained the Mustangs will have a ninth-grade team again next year.