It seems to be a trend in some smaller high schools that the numbers out for football are decreasing, and in a result, a few teams have decided or are contemplating moving to 8-man football. You can add Valley Falls to those schools with low numbers and they will join Onaga in transitioning from 11-man football to 8-man football starting next year. 

According to the Valley Falls Dragons head coach, Rod Bunde the Dragons have only 22 players out this year, nine of which are seniors, and do not expect big numbers coming out the next few years. Because of the low numbers, which happen to be the lowest number out under Coach Bunde in his 22 years at Valley Falls, the Dragons have decided to transition to 8-man football starting next year. 

The decision comes because of a lack of numbers and before the October 7th KSHSAA football scheduling meeting for classifications and districts, which is a two-year system. While the Dragons will transition to 8-man football starting next year it will be for two seasons due to the high school scheduling system in place by KSHSAA, but Valley Falls has not said if it will be a permanent move as they could move back to 11-man football in the future and even after the next two year window. 

Valley Falls would be the only 8-Man football squad in the Northeast Kansas League in 2016, which will leave them as an independent football team that is forced to fill their own entire schedule after district matchups are announced. 

Hear more on the move for Valley Falls from Coach Bunde on the Dragons Coaches show on 103.9 KNZA airing tomorrow night (Thursday, September 3rd). (Coaches shows start at 5:30pm and will be posted on mscsports.net after later after airing on the radio)