MONROE, La. (AP) - If principals vote for it and at least 16 schools agree to field teams, small high schools in Louisiana could be playing 8-man football in 2015.
A proposal before the Louisiana High School Athletic Association would limit participation to Class B and C schools with fewer than 236 students. They would have to choose between 11-player district football and 8-man football in a single statewide division.
Participating schools would be classified as non-football schools.
If at least 32 teams participate, there would be a 16-team playoff bracket. If 16 to 31 teams participate, there would be an eight-team playoff bracket.
The LHSAA convention opens Wednesday in Baton Rouge.
The News-Star (https://tnsne.ws/1aZ3juH) reports that northeast Louisiana principals like the idea.
“I think it is a good option for schools to have,” Simsboro principal Ricky Durrett said. “We open a new track in a few weeks at the school, and there is room for a football field.”
Choudrant High School, another Class B school in Lincoln Parish, is also opening its own on-campus track in 2015 and plans to vote for 8-man football.
“We will vote for it,” Choudrant principal Lisa Bastion said. “A year from now, we would seriously consider adding that as a sport.”
Claiborne Christian School, a Class C school in West Monroe, will also vote to have 8-man football added, but has not had serious discussion internally about fielding a team.
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Online:
LHSAA proposals: https://bit.ly/1cjKhTM
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Information from: The News-Star, https://www.thenewsstar.com
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