MASCOUTAH - The Mascoutah High School football team is seeking a new opponent for its 2026 football season opener at Alumni Field on the weekend of Aug. 20-22 after its original opponent, Decatur Eisenhower, announced the cancellation of its entire 2026 season on Monday, Aug. 10, 2026, due to a low number of players who came out for the team.
In a post on his personal Facebook page, Indians athletic director Scott Battas announced the cancellation of the Panthers' 2026 season and is now seeking a replacement opponent for its season opener.
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"Our week one opponent, Decatur Eisenhower, for Aug. 21, informed us today they are cancelling their varsity football season," Battas said in the announcement. "Due to this development, we are in search of a new team to play at home next week."
The game will officially go into the books as a 2-0 forfeit win for the Indians. Mascoutah was the only area opponent the Panthers were to play this season, and by rule, they will be forced to forfeit their games, ending up with a 0-0 record.
Eisenhower hopes to return to the field in the 2027 season with a full team.
Mascoutah follows in week two with a game at Springfield Southeast, then hosts Highland on Sept. 4, 2026, and travels to Belleville West the following week on Sept. 11, 2026.
Schools that wish to play the Indians in Mascoutah as a replacement opponent are invited to call Battas at the school on 818-566-8523, extension 5106, or at 618-566-8543. Schools interested may also email him at battass@msd19.org.
Fans will be kept up to date on the opening-day game itself and a possible opponent, Battas said.
