Posen remains interested in football format change
Several months of work, acting on expressions of interest by member schools for a reduced-player format for football resulted in the approval of a plan for an eight-player playoff division by the representative council of the Michigan High School Athletic Association during its annual Spring Meeting, May 3-4, in Gaylord. The Council approved 11 recommendations from a committee established to act on the information gathered during a series of winter informational meetings on a reduced-player football format.
In looking toward the 2010 season, schools will have to indicate in writing on two occasions – November 19 by the athletic administrator, and then April 1, 2010 by the superintendent – their commitment to the eight-player division. If a minimum of 20 schools commit to the eight-player format, the MHSAA will conduct a 16-team, four-week playoff in 2010. If more than 40 schools commit, a 32-team, five week playoff will take place.
Only those schools within Class D – with a maximum enrollment of 223 for the 2009-10 school year — will be eligible for the eight-player division playoff. Posen High School is interested in being part of the new format. Athletic director Wayne Karsten served on the committee.
Eight-player competitions will comply with National Federation playing rules, and the field size approved by the Council for MHSAA Playoff games will be the traditional 100 yards from goal line to goal line, with the width of the field only 40 yards, to allow for games to be played on existing fields with a minimum of physical changes