Seems DS has signed up for football next year. For various reasons, we haven’t let him play before, so I’m just trying to learn more about 8 man football.
I know that many smaller schools have opted for this format because they don’t need to field such big teams (from relatively small student bodies.) My understanding is that it’s essentially the same game but that it may also be a little safer because there aren’t as many blocking positions on the field. With that said, my kid didn’t play football and our school fielded a “traditional” (and not very good) team.
Mercersburg and George are 2 schools that are moving to 8 man football in 19-20. I was thrilled because M’berg’s football team was terrible, and I thought they would be more competitive in an 8 man league. My son has played football for years, and we’re looking forward to the change. I do think as long as the team is coached well that the game will be more about speed and skill and less about brute strength and size. I wish your son the best of luck, both my boys love playing football!
^I don’t think George is making the change to 8 man (although I would applaud it if they did.)
^ Hmmm, that’s odd. George was mentioned in more than one article that it was joining the 8 man Keystone League along with Valley Forge, Perkiomen, Mercersberg and another Christian day school. Maybe they changed their mind, or decided to put it off a year or two. I think 8 man is a great opportunity for small schools who don’t have strong recruiting for football. I think the games will be very competitive for those schools.