As a football fan, this is sad to see.

A high school coach in Iowa has resigned from his position, doing so in hopes that it would put the school in a spot where they would have to cancel the rest of their football season.

In a Facebook post Sept. 10, head coach Cory Quail confirmed his resignation from the Highland High School football program, citing player safety as the reason for his decision. (RELATED: High School Football Player Smacks Helmetless Opponent In Heated Scene)

“I tendered my resignation with hope that it would force the decision to not play another football game this season for player protection,” wrote Quail. “Participation numbers are low and injuries have accrued. It was not safe to be out on that field last Friday night and anyone who saw us trying to put receivers in lineman jerseys would agree. That scenario will not change over the course of this year. I will not put our kids in an unsafe place to selfishly build ego for competition.”

Also citing player safety, Highland made the announcement that their next two football contests have been cancelled, per KCRG9. Spencer Lueders, a superintendent for Highland, said the district will be evaluating what to do with the football team over those two weeks. Lueders said safety and offering a high school football experience will be their top priorities.

All options were to be considered, he continued, noting that they will include considering cancelling the season or attaching Highland athletes to another school’s roster.

Highland’s team had merely 13 active members after multiple injures in a lost game. The team began the season with 21, falling to the 13 after two losses, according to KCCI8. The team may take the field again on Sept. 26, per the Southeast Iowa Union.

Limited participation, a pile of injuries and now we might not have a football season for these kids … truly sad stuff.