(KLZA)--The Falls City Board of Education tabled action concerning the high school football team playing 8-Man vs. 11-Man football for the next two-year cycle starting with the 2026 season when they met Monday evening. Talk concering moving to 8-Man football has been an ongoing discussion since the middle of the 2025 season.

Falls City had 27 players to begin the season this Fall, but several nights had 20 or fewer suited up for games due to injuries. The Tigers were unable to filed a junior varsity squad during the 2025 season due to those low numbers which slows the development of players.
With lower numbers anticipated for the 2026 season, it is likely the team could be overmatched in the 11-Man game, increasing the chance of injuries and if lopsided losses continue to pile up, it could discourage students from participating in football.

By going to Eight-Man, the feeling is the team could be competitive, field a junior varsity team and build toward a return to 11-Man football following the next two-year scheduling cycle.

If a change is made to go with 8-Man football, there would be no chance of playing in the post season for two years. However, the upside would be having more opportunities for kids to play so they could be rewarded for practicing and working hard in the weight room if the can have a J-V schedule.

Athletic Director Gale Dunkhas said low participation is not just an issue at Falls City High, it is a statewide issue. Dunkhas said his recommendation would be to go to Eight-Man football for two years and give the kids a good experience and an opportunity to play in games. He said regardless, it's likely to be a rough couple of seasons to stay at the 11-Man level.

A decision must be reached and the Nebraska School Activities Association notified by November 30 if a change is made. If Falls City goes to 8-Man football the team would not be eligible for playoffs during the two-year cycle due to enrollment numbers.