LEETONIA — Leetonia school district administrators and the Bears’ head football coach himself were quick to dismiss rumors that there wouldn’t be a varsity team fielded this fall due to lackluster participation numbers.

During a meeting in the stadium stands Tuesday night, around three dozen participants turned out to hear Leetonia superintendent Tony DelBoccio quash those rumors. Also present to address concerns were district athletic director Nick Sferra, high school principal Tim Firestone, head football coach Matt Altomare and his coaching staff.

While DelBoccio acknowledged that the high school is struggling to recruit enough players to field a team to play on both sides of the ball, the Bears do have enough players to participate in a 7-on-7 game next Thursday, according to Sferra.

Due to the numbers, there will not be any freshman or junior varsity squads this year, as all players will be needed for varsity, the men explained.

DelBoccio had posted the letter to the district’s Facebook page and made an “All Call,” setting up the public meeting June 25, after the district kept rumors about no football from the public, media and other schools.

School administrators and coaching staff couldn’t answer an audience question in regards to the grade level breakdown of the players who did commit; however, Altomare did point out that the incoming freshman class only had 10 or 11 male students anyway.

DelBoccio also said public concerns have been expressed about the lack of conditioning and fitness for players, which could potentially impact their safety.

Sferra did acknowledge as athletic director that he is in the process of trying to secure an athletic trainer for Leetonia.

The regular season kicks off Aug. 29 against Mathews, and there currently is no mandatory conditioning in place until Aug. 1.

Ultimately, Altomare is not convinced that having the conditioning decree in place or would have attracted additional players. In fact, he expressed that it could create scheduling conflicts with summer jobs that could cost them possible candidates.

He and school officials did acknowledge that some underclassmen, who normally may not see playing time in varsity games, may be fielded if they work hard and prove themselves capable.

Coach Altomare quashed concerns that unprepared freshman were going to be playing against larger, more experienced players on game day.

He said he takes pride in both parent and a coach that his players would be in shape and mentally prepared before taking the field.

“Yes, it is going to be hard, but our staff is going to get these kids ready to play,” Altomare added.

Athletic director Sferra did confirm that restarting the school’s soccer program was on his mind.

He added that 24 youth inquired about the sport, and the program would start after football season as part of an indoor program if thy decide to move forward.

Administrators also said they wanted to improve the district’s exposure through camps and other opportunities with a focus on building a winning program to lure open enrollment students back to the district.

Leetonia’s football program has seen better days however. The Bears are currently on a 30-game losing streak and have won just two out of their last 37.