The crunch of roster sizes continues to hit high school football hard, as programs are dropping varsity schedules. In Illinois, two eight-man schools have decided to not field teams this fall.
Both Rockford Christian and Schlarman Academy have made the difficult decision, according to a report by Statesline Sports Network. Both are members of the Illinois 8-Man Football Association.
With the season fast-approaching for a Week 1 slate of games on Friday, August 29, teams can try to find a replacement in their schedules. If they are unable to replace Rockford Christian or Schlarman Academy, the open dates will become forfeit wins.
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Rockford Christian has struggled since going 5-5 in 2019, as they have not won more than one game any season since. A lack of numbers is the reason for the decision to drop football, according to athletic director Ted Lawver.
"Rockford Christian athletics will continue to commit resources to rebuilding the football program from the ground up," Lawver said, "through investment in strength and conditioning and the pursuit of establishing a solid middle school program."
Schlarman also cited low numbers as the reason for disbanding the program ahead of an opener in the East Division against Milford on August 30. Rockford Christian was to compete in the Northeast Division.
"With our lack of numbers, and for the safety of our student-athletes, we could not, in good faith, fulfill our obligations to the conference," Schlarman Academy athletic director Jerry O'Neill said. "Hopefully, we will have increased numbers going forward. We are sorry for any inconveniences this may have on our 8-man football conference schools."
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