I agree AtlCat.. There are a lot of small county schools out there that may take up football with this type option.. There are several schools like that in all areas across the state that if they joined up may solve the travel issue.. In West Ky alone, you have Hickman Co, Carlisle Co, Livingston Co, Lyon Co as well as some private schools like University Heights, St Marys, Trinity Whiteside, etc.. If you could add 10-12 schools like that to go along with 10-12 current playing members that may opt to go to 8-man and you'd have a good # of teams to have your own thing going on..

Although it wasn't a KHSAA school, North Hardin CHRISTIAN also had 8-man either in the 2000s or very early in this decade.

 

If KHSAA brought it back, I could see NHC leaving KCAA for the KHSAA

The travel is certainly the killer, with that said how about this "Competition Class". Doesn't necessarily have to be 8

 

This would be great for the kids, lets face it these players go out and play their hearts out on Friday nights knowing what the outcome will be. These players deserve a opportunity to compete and win without being beat down, and maybe limit the possibility of injury's.

8 man football is a great idea for the schools that simply cannot - or can barely - manage to field an 11 man team.

 

I actually broadcast the Eminence games during those late 90s - early 2000s seasons when KY had 8 man football. (I also covered Oldham Co, South Oldham, Henry County, and Shelby County). It was a great concept for that school....the Warriors played against a lot of larger schools, putting 11 men on the field for those select games, but otherwise played 8 man games.

 

The emphasis is on speed in the 8 man game as you have the same amount of field to cover on defense - but with three fewer players. That was the reason Eminence was so successful - they were incredibly fast.

 

CM