Loyal, Greenwood looking at football co-op program
Both the Greenwood and Loyal Boards of Education will decide next week if they’re going to continue separate high school football programs with low numbers or if they’ll combine forces to build a stronger long-term program.
Both varsity programs are now fielding teams that have multiple underclassmen playing against other schools’ seniors and juniors, and the game results have not been good. Greenwood is playing 8-man football with a roster of about 21 players, with about half upperclassmen. Loyal has about 30 players for its 11-man program, but is still starting several younger players. If the programs were to merge into one, the team would play in an 11-man league and have about 50 players with which to work to develop skills and give playing time in junior varsity and freshman game settings.
The Loyal Board has the co-op issue on its agenda for its Sept. 28 monthly meeting, which will start at 7 p.m. in the district conference room. It will also hold a parent informational meeting on the issue on Sept. 26, at 7 p.m., in the high school gym.
The Greenwood Board will take up the matter in a Sept. 29 special meeting that will start at 7 p.m. in the high school board room. That meeting will include time for parents to provide input to the Board before a decision is made.
The Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association (WIAA) has an Oct. 1 deadline for any schools that want to form co-op football programs or switch between 8-man and 11-man formats, so the local Boards need to decide next week if changes are to come. It will take approval from both boards to implement the co-op program.
Greenwood District Administrator Joe Green said the timing of the decision has little to do with the results of this season’s football games. The team has posted a 1-3 record, with a 40-point win over New Auburn. In its losses to Chippewa Falls McDonell, Prairie Farm and Gilman, the Indians have been outscored 201-8.
It’s not so much the score, Green said, as the safety of the players. Kids are getting hurt, he said, as they’re often young and undeveloped and matched against seniors who have been playing for years.
“Healthy players, I think we took 15 or 16 to Gilman last week,” Green said. “One of the things that leads to injuries is matching 14-year-olds and against 18-year-olds. Physically, they’re not ready nor have they developed the skills ... to be safe.”
Greenwood switched to the 8-man format several years ago as player numbers dwindled. Informal talks were held with Loyal about a possible co-op program then, but it did not materialize. Since then, Greenwood has had varying success on the field, but has not been able to get enough players out to put junior varsity programs together so younger players can grow.
“We can continue to trudge along and put a team to- gether, but I think the leadership in both districts are interested in building a program,” Green said, “a program that develops players and puts players in a position to succeed. We’re looking to build a program, not just field a team.”
Chris Lindner, who is the Loyal district administrator and head football coach, said he is in favor of a co-op program. He has a few more players to work with than Greenwood, but there are still freshmen and sophomores starting at the varsity level.
The Loyal varsity team has posted a 1-4 mark this year, with its first win coming on Sept. 17 against Kingdom Lutheran Prep. It’s four losses against Abbotsford, Neillsville- Granton, Colby and Auburndale have come by combined scores of 137-24.
Lindner said he thinks the schools should join teams with an eye on future years. If young players can learn skills in freshman and JV programs, they will be better equipped when they reach their junior and senior seasons.
“I’m looking at our program to see where we’re at in the future,” Lindner said.
If the teams combine, a co-op squad would play the 11-man format as the combined enrollment would exceed the 200-student maximum imposed by the WIAA.
If the co-op is approved next season, the team could start in either 2023 or 2024. If it would begin next fall, it would not be eligible for post-season play for one year.
Green said he has not received community input on preference for an 8-man or 11-man format. What he has heard from parents is a desire for a program that does not shove unprepared athletes onto the field.
“If there’s a push, it’s to develop players,” Green said. “Those that I’ve talked to feel joining together gives us the best chance to keep our kids safe.”
Green also said the football issue is a part of a larger discussion Greenwood and Loyal have been having about building partnerships that give kids more opportunity. A joint board committee has been meeting already to look at possible shared ventures.
“This (football) is also part of the greater picture of Greenwood and Loyal collaborating to give all of our kids as much opportunity as possible,” Green said.
