Are numbers issues threatening more and more Indiana high school football programs?

[wabashalwaysfights]

1 hour ago, Coach Nowlin said:

I have no issues with Co Op as an idea to get participation, but how to do it is the ultimate quagmire for me personally.    I think state leaders and myself included from my personal belief, before CO OPs, schools should adopt 8 man.    Not sure why INDIANA FB programs right now has some angst against it.  Especially when there is a path to go from 8 to 11 when numbers improve.  It's a change yes, but if the goal is to play a game of tackle football then 8 man is an OUTSTANDING choice for programs who are in this boat of this conversation .   8 man has over 1000 HS teams over 30 states.     

I can understand and agree on 8 man football.  I am not an admin (nor do I ever care to be) but if I had a guess as to why the resistance to 8 man it would be two things: 1) travel, as @Muda69 points out.  Honestly, that is no illegitimate concern given the price of fuel. 2) I think maybe the best word would be maybe "stigma" or maybe "lack of understanding," and not even on the part of admin themselves but also the community. 

There's no easy solution to be sure.

[Coach Nowlin]

Stigma > gas / travel.    IMO.  

South Newton informed their teams they are going 8 man football this year.    Frontier and Benton Central have just announced looking for games for weeks 3 and 8.  

 

[Muda69]

14 minutes ago, Coach Nowlin said:

Stigma > gas / travel.    IMO.  

South Newton informed their teams they are going 8 man football this year.    Frontier and Benton Central have just announced looking for games for weeks 3 and 8.  

 

A North Newton/South Newton co-op would have been the logical answer here.

[wabashalwaysfights]

3 hours ago, Coach Nowlin said:

Stigma > gas / travel.    IMO.  

South Newton informed their teams they are going 8 man football this year.    Frontier and Benton Central have just announced looking for games for weeks 3 and 8.  

 

I agree, but the later is great cover for the former.

I figured based on what I had seen throughout the day. Its too bad, but I am really glad they aren't folding.

[Zardoz]

My suggestion would be that if a school that withdraws from a full varsity schedule in 11 man after moratorium week, they would go to 8 man until they can show a consistent participation for a predetermined years (2 or 3) and number of players (say 25) before being allowed back into 11 man.

[JustRules]

12 hours ago, oldtimeqb said:

A hill I would fight on - Girls Flag should have been a SPRING sport. That is all. 

College flag is a Spring sport as are many states doing HS flag. It could evolve as recruiting grows and Indiana girls are overlooked because they are playing outside the normal recruiting window.

[Muda69]

Wabash Apaches moving to a hybrid 8-man and 11-man schedule for 2026:  https://statelinesportsnetwork.net/2026/08/14/wabash-indiana-hs-to-play-both-8-man-and-11-man-football-in-2026/

 

Quote

(8-14-26) In 2026 Wabash will play a very unique hybrid football schedule…8-man and 11-man opponents.

Recently schools in several states that cancel varsity seasons have decided to play JV to keep the program active.

So with playing some 11 man games will the IHSAA let the Apaches be a part of the playoffs? Plus will the IHSAA have issues with this format?

How about the schools who were scheduled to play Wabash react to all of this…including Maconaquah, Rochester and Lewis Cass.

...

From the Wabash Athletics Facebook page:

 

Due to lower football numbers this year, Wabash Football will play a hybrid schedule featuring both 8-man and 11-man football. This schedule gives us the best opportunity to keep our young team safe throughout the season while putting our players in a position to compete in meaningful games.

Our 11-man games will continue to include our Wabash County opponents and Whitko.

 We’ve also added 8-man games against:

• Kosciusko Thunder
• South Newton High School
• Greenwood Christian Academy
• Ft. Wayne Crusaders

The Apaches will get their first taste of action by traveling to Whiteland Community High School for an 8-man jamboree to kick off the season.

Wabash Football has been taking the field since 1896, and that tradition continues this fall. Some games will be 8-man, some will be 11-man, and a couple will be played on Saturday afternoons. It may look a little different, but every game gives our players an opportunity to put on a Wabash uniform, represent their school and community, and compete.

And what shouldn’t look any different?

The tailgates.
The great crowds.
The turf field.
The Cheer & Dance Team.
The Apache Band.
And a community showing up and supporting Wabash Football.

Whether it’s under the Friday night lights or on a Saturday afternoon, we hope to see Wabash show up and support our young men.

 Check out our new schedule, share it, and make plans to join us this fall!

Weird, dropping all your non-county and conference foes, except for one, and replacing them with 8-man games.  So I guess this makes them ineligible for the IHSAA tournament?

 

[Impartial_Observer]

On 8/6/2026 at 11:38 PM, JustRules said:

College flag is a Spring sport as are many states doing HS flag. It could evolve as recruiting grows and Indiana girls are overlooked because they are playing outside the normal recruiting window.

I have heard it said that flag football will do for old officials what three-man did in basketball, extend careers. 

[Indiansreloaded]

On 8/4/2026 at 10:51 PM, Coach Nowlin said:

The issue with the Co-op model is it seems as if the combined enrollment would take, so lets say, Tri Central Co-op'd with Tipton:  TC sends maybe 9 total players who want to play, awesome, right, however, that model stated then for enrollment classification purposes, Tipton would have to absorb the ENITRE TC population number, so lets say, Tipton is 475 students (no idea, but I know middle pack 2a).  TC may have 350 students:  Tipton new Classification number would be 825 and now in 3a.   Why would Tipton be willing to have that happened to allow 9 football players to join .    I believe that is why that model way it was proposed, probably led to the fail vote,  zero knowledge of the reason by it was shot down personally, but if I am an ADMIN in those area Principal Meetings where many times these things come up, cannot imagine many of those folks willing to allow that to affect their schools to that degree.    

EASIEST SOLUTION:   Really is from meeting I have attended:  

 

8 MAN FOOTBALL :   It is a VERY good option to keep kids playing, even schools to have JV games go to 8 man instead of cancelling.    

 

 

Co-op's are something that needs to be looked at more.  One issue would be if a co-op wins a sectional, conference, or more title then which school gets the credit for it?  If co-ops were allowed, then I think it should only be between 2 schools of same classification and it must co-op in all sports.  For example Tipton is 2A so they could co-op with Elwood who is also 2A.  Tri-Central is 1A therefore they couldn't co-op with Tipton or Elwood.  By staying in the same classification then the co-op teams stay in the classification, which would mean with a Tipton/Elwood co-op they would stay 2A.  The problem with an Elwood/Tipton co-op is when it comes to conference scheduling since they are both in different conferences.  

On the plus side of a co-op team, both schools would split the costs of the coaching staffs.  They would also split the costs of the programs.  They could go to 1 AD as well.  It would be interesting to see if the schools that are struggling with fielding teams are also schools that are experiencing declining enrollment?  Could we see consolidation of some smaller schools?  Think about Tipton, Elwood, and Tri-Central proximity to each other.  Tipton and Elwood are 10 miles apart.  Tipton and Tri-Central are 10 miles apart.  The distance between all 3 is less than 20 miles.  If 2 or all 3 consolidate, they would move up to 3A or maybe 4A.  With the recent school funding cuts, it is possible that more school consolidations will take place, so this is something that can't be ruled out.  In fact, there may be some counties that will go to 1 high school for the entire county like Blackford and Huntington already are.

[First_Backer_Inside]

8 minutes ago, Indiansreloaded said:

Co-op's are something that needs to be looked at more.  One issue would be if a co-op wins a sectional, conference, or more title then which school gets the credit for it?  If co-ops were allowed, then I think it should only be between 2 schools of same classification and it must co-op in all sports.  For example Tipton is 2A so they could co-op with Elwood who is also 2A.  Tri-Central is 1A therefore they couldn't co-op with Tipton or Elwood.  By staying in the same classification then the co-op teams stay in the classification, which would mean with a Tipton/Elwood co-op they would stay 2A.  The problem with an Elwood/Tipton co-op is when it comes to conference scheduling since they are both in different conferences.  

On the plus side of a co-op team, both schools would split the costs of the coaching staffs.  They would also split the costs of the programs.  They could go to 1 AD as well.  It would be interesting to see if the schools that are struggling with fielding teams are also schools that are experiencing declining enrollment?  Could we see consolidation of some smaller schools?  Think about Tipton, Elwood, and Tri-Central proximity to each other.  Tipton and Elwood are 10 miles apart.  Tipton and Tri-Central are 10 miles apart.  The distance between all 3 is less than 20 miles.  If 2 or all 3 consolidate, they would move up to 3A or maybe 4A.  With the recent school funding cuts, it is possible that more school consolidations will take place, so this is something that can't be ruled out.  In fact, there may be some counties that will go to 1 high school for the entire county like Blackford and Huntington already are.

So someone like a Tipton who is usually a solid program year in and year out, gets to add 7-8 Elwood players per year without any enrollment penalty that makes their team better and stay in the same classification. You don't see how that could be an issue for anyone that is not co-op in the same class?

17 hours ago, Muda69 said:

Wabash Apaches moving to a hybrid 8-man and 11-man schedule for 2026:  https://statelinesportsnetwork.net/2026/08/14/wabash-indiana-hs-to-play-both-8-man-and-11-man-football-in-2026/

 

Weird, dropping all your non-county and conference foes, except for one, and replacing them with 8-man games.  So I guess this makes them ineligible for the IHSAA tournament?

 

I believe you have to play 4 games in the season to stay eligible for the tournament.

[Daniel_Bragg]

42 minutes ago, Indiansreloaded said:

Co-op's are something that needs to be looked at more.  One issue would be if a co-op wins a sectional, conference, or more title then which school gets the credit for it?  If co-ops were allowed, then I think it should only be between 2 schools of same classification and it must co-op in all sports.  For example Tipton is 2A so they could co-op with Elwood who is also 2A.  Tri-Central is 1A therefore they couldn't co-op with Tipton or Elwood.  By staying in the same classification then the co-op teams stay in the classification, which would mean with a Tipton/Elwood co-op they would stay 2A.  The problem with an Elwood/Tipton co-op is when it comes to conference scheduling since they are both in different conferences.  

On the plus side of a co-op team, both schools would split the costs of the coaching staffs.  They would also split the costs of the programs.  They could go to 1 AD as well.  It would be interesting to see if the schools that are struggling with fielding teams are also schools that are experiencing declining enrollment?  Could we see consolidation of some smaller schools?  Think about Tipton, Elwood, and Tri-Central proximity to each other.  Tipton and Elwood are 10 miles apart.  Tipton and Tri-Central are 10 miles apart.  The distance between all 3 is less than 20 miles.  If 2 or all 3 consolidate, they would move up to 3A or maybe 4A.  With the recent school funding cuts, it is possible that more school consolidations will take place, so this is something that can't be ruled out.  In fact, there may be some counties that will go to 1 high school for the entire county like Blackford and Huntington already are.

I'm with Backer, there is no way that a co-op wouldn't benefit from the larger pool of players.  An enrollment penalty HAS to be tacked on.  Maybe you simply make it that a co-op plays up one classification from the highest of the two.  So, in this hypothetical, Elwood/Tipton would move up to 3A.

[First_Backer_Inside]

23 minutes ago, Daniel_Bragg said:

I'm with Backer, there is no way that a co-op wouldn't benefit from the larger pool of players.  An enrollment penalty HAS to be tacked on.  Maybe you simply make it that a co-op plays up one classification from the highest of the two.  So, in this hypothetical, Elwood/Tipton would move up to 3A.

This wouldn't be as bad and probably not a bad idea. In all honesty, if someone is choosing to co-op they probably aren't adding more than 10-12 guys to your roster. A 2A with 35 kids gets 10 more to put them at 45 is probably reasonable for most 3A teams to have numbers wise. The problem you run into is why would the 35 man roster team want to do that? I think the co-ops are going to come from two small, probably 1A schools or small 2A's that both teams can't get enough kids for a team.

My question with co-ops is what would be the rules set in place for it? Can anyone just decide they want to co-op? What if a Valley and Rochester(never going to happen we aren't exactly buddies) decides we want to co-op just to co-op? Valley is 3A, Rochester 2A, some years we would combine for 80+ kids. We have had times where we have some studs on both teams. What's stopping someone from creating a super team? I can think of some others. What if Gibson Southern and Heritage Hills combined? You're telling me with the talent they both had last year they couldn't contend for a 5 or 6A title? Will there be rules set in place for this in co-op if it ever happens?