LENA (NBC 26) — A smaller school didn’t stop Lena and St. Thomas Aquinas in preparing the football program.
When player numbers dropped 12 years ago, eight-a-side football was the best option. Both schools did not have enough players to make an 11-man team, so they combined forces to create an eight-man team that allowed them to not only play, but also excel.
“It helps us be competitive,” co-coach Dale Lange said. “That was one of the things that even our players said that first year: ‘Wow, we felt like we really had a chance to win games here.’ And we actually won some games.”
The players agreed that eight-a-side football is a great option for smaller schools.
“It’s actually great that the team and these small schools are participating at all,” senior Calvin Peters said. “I think eight-a-side football is becoming more and more popular, even at schools like ours.”
Peters admitted that playing eight-a-side football was an adjustment for him at first, but over time he grew to love the game.
The players agreed that the biggest difference was how open the pitch was. There’s a lot more room on offense to make great plays, and the defense has to cover a lot more space.
“I think it’s harder,” senior Tyler Shallow said. “It’s harder on defense. People say it’s not the same, it’s flag football or whatever. Defense is difficult.”
Despite being played with fewer people, eight-a-side football is just as competitive as 11-a-side football.
“The skill sets are the same: blocking, tackling, passing and holding on to the ball,” Coach Lange said. “It’s still football. This is real football.”
The eight-player Titans football team not only united two miniature schools and communities, but also gave the players a chance to win a state championship.
“It’s amazing,” Shallow said. “I never thought I would be in a scenario like this and I wouldn’t trade it for anything.”
Peters agreed that this run was the highlight of his football career.
“It’s fantastic,” Peters said. “It’s like a dream come true.”
Co-coach Dale Lange said it was his first time reaching the state championship.
“I choked a little bit,” Lange said. “I started training forty-five years ago. This really is the icing on the cake. It’s great to see any miniature community, when you see everything going great, everyone is excited and that’s part of the whole atmosphere.
The Titans will face Owen-Withee at South Wood County Stadium in Wisconsin Rapids on Saturday, November 16 at 1 p.m.
