Western North Carolina charter school that was 3-seed in last year’s football playoffs cancels rest of the season

Thomas Jefferson Classical Academy, a charter school in Western North Carolina, has decided to cancel its football season early after just four games. The athletic department cited a significant number of injuries, many requiring surgery, as the primary reason for the decision. TJCA, an NCSHAA 1A school in eastern Rutherford County, has drawn many of its students from Cleveland County.

The Gryphons football team suffered an 11-0 loss to Albemarle High School, their third consecutive defeat. Originally scheduled to play North Stanly for the Comets' homecoming game, TJCA now plans to return to football next year. Last season, the team finished with a 5-7 record, including a playoff win. The school expressed gratitude to their student-athletes, coaches, families, and supporters, focusing now on developing the football program for the upcoming season. TJCA joins West Caldwell and others in not fielding a varsity team this year.