Pawling Plans to Modify High School Football Program

 

Pawling Plans to Modify High School Football Program

By Michele Llanes

During the Pawling School District Board of Education meeting held Monday, January 8, 2016, Dr. William Ward announced the Pawling High School Football program is switching to an eight (8) player roster in the fall of 2018.

The definition of ‘Eight-Man Football’ as described by Wikipedia.org, is “a form of gridiron football, generally played by high schools with smaller enrollments. Eight-man football differs from the traditional 11-man game with the reduction of three players on each side of the ball and a field width of 40 yards.”

Superintendent Ward said the decision to change to the modified roster will enable the school to adequately field a team, an achievement that has proven problematic in the last couple of seasons due to decreased enrollment. The New York State Public High School Athletic Association (NYSPHSA) Section 9 has several smaller school districts that have agreed to the modified roster. Dover, Pine Plains and Rhinebeck are discussing the option, according to Dr. Ward, although no confirmation has been obtained from those districts. More information on the PCSD Board of Ed meeting to follow.

Author: Harlem Valley News