Arizona high school 2A football teams are scrambling to find a replacement opponent, after Glendale Prep this week canceled its varsity season because of safety concerns and the team not having any senior players."The Great Hearts Glendale Prep Football program remains strong, committed, and focused on developing our student-athletes," athletic director Mike Fiore said in a statement from the school. "With 10 seniors graduating last yearandno current seniors on the team this year, we determined that competing at the varsity level this season could create unnecessary safety concerns for our younger student-athletes. As a result, Glendale Prep will pause varsity competition for the 2026 season."The statement added the school will have a full junior varsity schedule this fall.Glendale Prep went 7-4 in 2A last season, opening with 49-0 wins over Arete Prep and Antelope. After losing to eventual state champion Scottsdale Christian, 56-14, the Griffins reeled off four straight wins before losing their final two to Veritas Prep and Eloy Santa Cruz.The AIA JV schedule for Glendale Prep lists five opponents, including a game with Scottsdale Christian's JV and back-to-back weeks against NFL Yet.The decision to cancel the varsity season is causing 2A teams to scramble to find opponents to fill the week they were supposed to play Glendale Prep. The season opens Aug. 20 and 21 for 2A teams.Scottsdale Christian coach Mike Sheahan turned to X to seek out an opponent, suggesting he would schedule a 3A or 4A opponent.Looking for a game the weekend of Sept. 11/12. Glendale Prep has dropped their varsity schedule. Will play up to 4A. We just want a game. Mike Sheahan (@MikeSheahan122) August 6, 2026Scottsdale Christian, Arete Prep, Antelope, Chandler Prep, Heritage Academy Gateway, Miami, San Pasqual, Tonopah Valley, Highland Prep West and Heritage Academy Laveen now have open dates on their varsity schedules."With teams dropping, it does add some difficulty scheduling in our division due to the fact that we have no bye weeks. If we had bye weeks, things can move around smoother. As of right now, we have to figure out what to do. In the current moment, I'm not sure what that week is going to look like. I hope we can get a game.''In the 1A, 8-man conference, Elfrida Valley Union has dropped varsity football this year, along with El Capitan due to numbers issues and safety concerns. Valley Union will field only a JV team.Richard Obert has been covering high school sports since the 1980s for The Arizona Republic. Catch the best high school sports coverage in the state. Sign up for Azcentral Preps Now. And be sure to subscribe to our daily sports newsletters so you don't miss a thing. To suggest human-interest story ideas and other news, reach Obert at richard.obert@arizonarepublic.comor 602-316-8827. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter: @azc_obertThis article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: 2A football teams scramble after Glendale Prep drops varsity season