8th regular season football game is approved

For the first time in over a decade New York State high school football teams will be able to play an eighth regular season game this fall.

The New York State Public High School Athletic Association’s Executive Committee this morning approved giving schools the option of playing an eighth game. The game would be played as a season opener on the weekend which has been used for scrimmages.

The regular season had been reduced from 8 to 7 games when a quarterfinal round was added to the sectional playoffs.

Individual schools will now have the option to decide if they want to scrimmage or play a game that weekend.

“That’s great news” said Albion Athletic Director and Varsity Football Coach Adam Krenning. “I think we’re moving in the right direction. I think it ‘s a good move and a great thing for our kids.”

“We’re definitely intrigued by the idea of playing an eighth game,” said Medina Athletic Director and Varsity Football Coach Eric Valley who did voice some concern over changes in the ability to do off season workouts caused by the Covid-19 Pandemic restrictions.

“Things have changed dramatically since the proposal was first made,” added Valley. “We usually do so much over the summer and right now we are not able to do that. If we can’t do anything over the summer until practice begins on August 24 will two weeks of practice give us enough time to play a game? It will be interesting.”

The Executive Committee also discussed, but did not vote on, a proposal to reduce the number of wrestling weight classes from 15 to 13.

It has been proposed to eliminate one of the light weight classes and one of the heavier weight classes. In the lighter weights the four classes of 99, 106, 113 and 120 would be cut to three 102, 110 and 118. Likewise at the upper weights the current four class of 180, 182, 195 and 220 would be cut to three 172, 189 and 225.