It seems as though there’s been found a solution to the crisis in Class 11-man scheduling.
Yep, eight-man football.
In a wildly unexpected decision officials have elected to create a super eight-man conference where those 11-man programs which elect to declare for eight-man before the transfer deadline of May 1 will become immediately eligible for the newly formed 2025 playoffs. In a unique twist there will be either a resulting one or two added 32-team classes in eight-man next fall, depending on interest shown by the 11-man schools in this concept, which had been discussed in private meetings for some time, most of them held in open air garages during the summer when the weather was hot and humid
For instance, if up to 32 current 11-man programs declare for eight-man there will be one added super conference; if the number exceeds 32 there will be room for up to 64 teams, divided into two added classes. The new super conferences will go by the handles of D1-A and D1-AA.
Once the total number of declared schools is certified schedules will be drawn up that day at the back table of Merry Martini Lounge in Dodge, Nebraska, located about an hour northwest of Burke Stadium, which has hosted so many of our state’s most memorable high school sporting events.
All 32 teams of one, or both, super conference(s) will be eligible for the 2025 playoffs. With a sensitivity toward geographic matters the opening round games will be played in eight “pods”, with two games being contested at the following facilities, listed from west to east, with no regard to north and south:
1. Combs Field, Potter. Named for eight-man hall of fame coach Al Combs, they’ll need to remark the field but maybe they can get Tony Ottoson to help with that.
2. Hemingford High School. Where they haven’t yet named the field for Colt Foster, but they should have.
3. Sandy Yorges Field, Hyannis. Waddayamean they didn’t? (Come on, people...)
4. Lee Koch Field, Wauneta. By executive order of the superintendent.
5. Rusty Eisenhart Field, Culbertson. Not sure why they hadn’t thought of that before...
6. Reggie Smith’s Backyard, Dunning. Sandhills High has its football field there.
7. Eugene Andre Field, Arnold. You had to know, and besides Eugene was a state champion shot putter on the side.
8. Jug Brown Stadium, Falls City. Providing for east/west balance in the bracket.
Sweet 16: Games to be played simultaneously at Lawrence and Nelson. After party at Dick’s Place.
Elite Eight: Back-to-back-to-back-to-back games played on the turf at Russ Hochstein Field, a name which is only fitting.
Final Four: Daytime doubleheader played at Parkview Christian. (Six-Man, I know, but I love that little field...)
Championship Game: Howells High School. The great Scott Polacek on the PA mic, and free Ceska Buchtas for everybody!
* In another break from current policy, NIL funds will be provided to all playoff teams (100 bucks) with Final Four teams receiving an added stipend and state finalists receiving $500 each, along with a gift bag from the Cricket ...
