Siouxland Christian Football: Complete Program Guide
Siouxland Christian football took the field on August 29, 2025, with just 16 players wearing the Eagles uniform. By halftime, that game was over. By the next week, so was the entire season. The decision to cancel the 2025 campaign sent shockwaves through Iowa’s 8-player football community and raised questions about the future of Siouxland Christian football.
What Is Siouxland Christian Football?
Siouxland Christian football represents the varsity 8-player program at Siouxland Christian School in Sioux City, Iowa. The Eagles compete in Iowa’s Eight-Player District 1, facing schools from across the western part of the state. As the Sioux City metro area’s lone 8-player football team, Siouxland Christian football occupies a unique position in Iowa high school athletics.
The school, located at 6100 Morningside Avenue in Sioux City, operates as a private Christian institution. Athletics serve as a vital training ground for students, developing teamwork, discipline, and perseverance. Head coach Ryan Gillaspie has led the program through its recent challenges.
Program History and Recent Performance
Siouxland Christian football has faced significant struggles in recent seasons. The Eagles posted a 1-8 record in both 2023 and 2024. Since 2019, the program has won just four total games, with two of those victories coming in 2022.
The 2023 season saw the team put up 174 points while yielding 385 points. Quarterback Judah Bielenberg threw for 1,227 yards and rushed for 705 yards that year. The season ended with a 60-14 victory over Griswold in the final home game.
2024 Season Breakdown
The 2024 Siouxland Christian football campaign ended with a 1-9 overall record and an 0-4 mark in district play. The team suffered some lopsided defeats, including a 76-0 loss to Woodbine on September 29.
Despite the difficult record, the Eagles showed offensive firepower in certain games. They scored 40 or more points in two contests, including a 56-50 victory over Stanton and a narrow loss to West. The team’s lone win came against the Stanton Vikings.
Senior Raymond Nelson emerged as a key contributor at wide receiver and linebacker. Judah Bielenberg returned as the starting quarterback for his senior season. Seven seniors anchored the roster: Nelson, Bielenberg, John Reynolds, Biar Biar, Caden Howell, Daniel Malcomson, and Christian Hsu.
2025 Season: Hope and Heartbreak
Preseason Optimism
Siouxland Christian football entered the 2025 season with cautious optimism. The program aimed to continue building after the 1-8 campaign in 2024. Head coach Ryan Gillaspie emphasized team bonding and unity as key goals.
“We’re playing a lot more together this year,” tight end and defensive lineman Jacob Criss said before the season. The Eagles returned their top tackler in Bram Bielenberg, a running back and linebacker who contributed over 400 yards and four touchdowns in 2024.
The team lost quarterback Judah Bielenberg to graduation. Jackson Stansberry, now a senior, returned as the third-leading rusher (103 yards) and third-leading receiver (280 yards) from 2024. Junior Reed Hofstra also returned after recording 29.5 tackles the previous season.
Week 1: The Game That Changed Everything
Siouxland Christian football opened its 2025 season on August 29 against Coon Rapids-Bayard. The game quickly turned disastrous. Coon Rapids-Bayard built a 60-0 lead by halftime. The game was halted at the half, meaning it goes into the record books as a forfeit.
The statistical breakdown from that single half tells the story of a program overwhelmed:
The Decision to Cancel
On September 2, 2025, Siouxland Christian School announced the cancellation of its varsity football season, effective immediately. The decision followed the first game of the season, which was halted at halftime due to player safety concerns.
Superintendent Nic Scandrett made the announcement, recognizing the importance of prioritizing the health and well-being of student-athletes above all else. The school issued a statement: “The health and well-being of our student-athletes remain our highest priority, leading us to conclude that canceling the season is the most responsible course of action”.
Siouxland Christian football had only 16 players on its roster. The team had been practicing at the Strikers baseball complex and faced the additional challenge of traveling to River Valley High School in Correctionville for home games, about a half-hour drive from Sioux City.
Impact on Opponents
The cancellation affected seven remaining opponents on the Siouxland Christian football schedule. Teams like Kingsley-Pierson, East Mills, and Fort Dodge St. Edmond received automatic forfeit victories.
Each forfeit added +17 points in the Iowa High School Athletic Association’s point system. Opposing coaches expressed sympathy for the Siouxland Christian players while adjusting their own plans.
Siouxland Christian Football Historical Stats
| Season | Overall Record | District Record | Points Scored | Points Allowed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 1-8 | — | 174 | 385 |
| 2024 | 1-9 | 0-4 | — | — |
| 2025 | 0-1 (forfeit) | 0-0 | 0 | 60 |
Sources: Sioux City Journal, MaxPreps, SI.com
Notable Players in Recent Siouxland Christian Football History
Judah Bielenberg (Class of 2024)
The quarterback led Siouxland Christian football in 2023 with 1,227 passing yards and 705 rushing yards. His brother Bram Bielenberg continued the family legacy, contributing over 400 yards and four touchdowns in 2024.
Bram Bielenberg
The running back and linebacker served as Siouxland Christian football’s top tackler in 2024. His two-way contributions made him a cornerstone of the program.
Raymond Nelson (Class of 2024)
The wide receiver and linebacker matured significantly during his time with Siouxland Christian football. He was one of seven seniors on the 2024 roster.
Jackson Stansberry (Class of 2025)
The senior ranked third in rushing (103 yards) and third in receiving (280 yards) for Siouxland Christian football in 2024. He also recorded 31.5 tackles.
Reed Hofstra (Class of 2026)
The junior center and nose guard recorded 29.5 tackles in 2024. He was expected to be a key contributor in 2025 before the season’s cancellation.
Daniel Malcomson (Class of 2024)
The senior recorded 40 tackles and three sacks in his junior year. He emphasized that Siouxland Christian football success meant doing what was best for the team rather than chasing individual statistics.
How Siouxland Christian Football Compares
| Metric | Siouxland Christian | 8-Player District 1 Average |
|---|---|---|
| Roster Size | 16 players (2025) | 25-30 players |
| Home Field | River Valley HS (30 min away) | On-campus stadium |
| Recent Win Total (2023-24) | 2 wins | 8-10 wins |
| Program Stability | Season canceled | Full season completed |
The Merger: A New Chapter for Siouxland Christian Football
In February 2026, Siouxland Christian announced a partnership with Remsen St. Mary’s. Under the agreement, Siouxland Christian student-athletes will join Remsen St. Mary’s established programs, competing as part of the Hawks roster.
This merger provides greater roster depth, stability, and competitive opportunities for athletes from both schools. The arrangement covers football and baseball, ensuring Siouxland Christian students can continue playing these sports.
The merger represents a practical solution to the challenges that led to the 2025 season cancellation. Instead of ending the football program entirely, Siouxland Christian football will continue through this cooperative arrangement.
Lessons from the Siouxland Christian Football Story
The Siouxland Christian football story highlights several important issues facing small-school athletics:
- Roster size matters: With only 16 players, the team could not safely compete against schools with deeper rosters.
- Facilities impact participation: Playing home games 30 minutes away from campus created logistical hurdles.
- Player safety comes first: The school’s decision to cancel the season, while difficult, prioritized student-athlete well-being.
- Community support sustains programs: Despite the cancellation, the school expressed gratitude for community backing.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened to Siouxland Christian football in 2025?
Siouxland Christian football canceled its entire 2025 varsity season after one game. The team lost 60-0 to Coon Rapids-Bayard in Week 1. Because of player safety concerns, the game was stopped at halftime. The school cited the health and well-being of student-athletes as the primary reason for cancellation.
Why did Siouxland Christian cancel its football season?
The school canceled the season due to player safety concerns following a lopsided loss in the opening game. The team had only 16 players on its roster. Logistical challenges, including practicing at a baseball complex and playing home games 30 minutes away, also contributed.
What was Siouxland Christian football’s record in recent years?
Siouxland Christian football posted a 1-8 record in both 2023 and 2024. The program has won just four games since 2019, including two in 2022.
Who coached Siouxland Christian football?
Ryan Gillaspie served as head coach of Siouxland Christian football. He emphasized team bonding, unity, and player development during his tenure.
What is the future of Siouxland Christian football?
Siouxland Christian announced a partnership with Remsen St. Mary’s in February 2026. Student-athletes will join the Hawks roster, providing greater roster depth and competitive opportunities. The merger covers football and baseball.
Where does Siouxland Christian play its home games?
Siouxland Christian football played its home games at River Valley High School in Correctionville, about 30 minutes from Sioux City. The team practiced at the Strikers baseball complex.
The Spirit of Siouxland Christian Football
The cancellation of the 2025 season does not diminish the commitment shown by Siouxland Christian football players, coaches, and supporters. They put in countless hours of practice and preparation. They faced adversity with resilience and determination.
The school commended the dedication, hard work, and resilience of its student-athletes, who showed tremendous commitment to the team. The decision to cancel the season was not taken lightly.
Siouxland Christian football represents more than wins and losses. It represents young athletes learning teamwork, discipline, and perseverance. The program’s story continues through the merger with Remsen St. Mary’s, ensuring that Siouxland Christian students can still experience the benefits of football.
The Eagles may have flown only one game in 2025, but their spirit endures. Siouxland Christian football will rise again.
