Simple subtraction appears to have solved Westminster Christian’s football numbers problem.
With only 192 students, the Warriors perennially experience trouble finding enough players. So they’ll play eight-man football next season in a non-IHSA league with other small Illinois and Wisconsin schools.
Westminster makes the switch despite having qualified for the IHSA playoffs each of the past two seasons, finishing 6-4 each year.
“It was one of those things where we knew what the numbers would be and we wanted an opportunity for the kids who were still here and wanted to play,” Westminster Christian athletic director Rick Palmer said.
Westminster Christian already received an initial taste of 8-on-8 football last season during Week 3.
Rockford Christian Life had insufficient numbers for 11-man football and forfeited, but Westminster Christian didn’t want to be inactive. So the Warriors agreed to an eight-man practice game.
“I was impressed,” Palmer said. “It was different but it gave me an idea of what it looked like. It was exciting and moved fast with more scoring.
“I don’t want to say it was completely like arena football. There were similarities, except of course it was outside on a bigger field.”
The field is 13.3 yards narrower, but the same length. Offenses must have at least five players on the line of scrimmage. Tackles and usually the fullback or tight end are eliminated.
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Offensive coordinator Mike Gross takes over as head coach after the program spent its first four years under coach John Davis.
“There are nuances,” Gross said. “Bottom line is it’s like regular football in terms of recognizing formations and it’s still about blocking and tackling.
“In this game any jersey number can be an eligible receiver — they don’t have to report to officials. So there is the opportunity for trick plays. We’ve already got some things in mind.”
Gross has 22 years of coaching experience and helped found South Elgin Youth Football. He played for Schaumburg and one year at Eastern Illinois, where he caught a few practice passes from current New Orleans Saints coach Sean Payton.
Westminster will play in the State Line Eight-Man Football League, which will include Illinois schools Alden-Hebron, North Shore, Lake Forest Academy and Rockford Christian Life. Wisconsin schools are Elkhart Lake, Valley Christian, Oakfield, Abundant Life, Wisconsin Heights and Maranatha.
Without IHSA playoffs, a conference football jamboree will be held the final weekend of October. The top teams will square off for the overall title.
Palmer said one advantage to the switch is it might eventually allow for development of a team for freshmen and sophomores. It’s also possible it’s safer.
“At our meetings, one individual from a Wisconsin school commented they had eight-man football two or three years and fewer concussions from it than from soccer,” Palmer said. “I don’t know if it’s pure coincidence or there are statistics backing that up, but there is more open-field ankle tackling and less gang-tackling by three or four players.”
Eight-man football could be a bridge back to regular football, or the Warriors might like it enough to continue. Palmer said a survey showed interest has built at other small Illinois schools facing low roster numbers.
Westminster Christian is looking to return 10 players and hopes to attract several incoming freshmen.
“I was talking to one player we have back and asked his thoughts on switching,” Palmer said. “He told me, ‘Eight men, 11 men, I don’t care as long as I get to hit somebody.’ “
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