AUGUSTA, Maine — A Maine Principals’ Association committee decided Wednesday to move forward with an effort to develop an eight-player division for high school football in the state that, if approved, would be implemented in 2019.
“Over the past few years we’ve seen programs struggle with numbers and because of that we’ve seen much more support for a program like eight-man football,” said MPA assistant executive secretary Mike Burnham. “I think the time is now to look at something like this, not only to provide opportunities for those schools that are struggling but maybe create opportunities for some other schools.”
“We’re seeking opportunities for schools to have successful and well-functioning football programs, and looking at other national models of different places that have done that as an alternative to 11-man football,” said Brendan Scully, athletic administrator at Massabesic High School in Waterboro and chair of the MPA football committee.
To read the rest of “Maine principals begin formal consideration of eight-player football,” an article by contributing Bangor Daily News staff writer Ernie Clark, please follow this link to the BDN online.
