Modified joining Medina football lineup

By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 4 March 2022 at 4:52 pm

A low number of participants is causing the Medina High Athletic Department to make some changes in the lineup of its football teams for the upcoming fall season.

This past season Medina fielded JV and varsity teams. Now the Mustangs will field a varsity team for grades 10-12 and for the first time a modified team for grades 7-9 which will replace the JV squad.

“One of the main reasons Medina is adding modified football is because this is what is happening all around us, in our section and across the state,” said Medina varsity Coach and Athletic Director Eric Valley of the low numbers situation.

“Last year there were 18 class C, Section 6 teams. Of those 18 schools only 3 were able to field a JV team for the season and 14 of the other schools had modified teams (for grades 7-9).” said Valley. “We were low with our JV numbers last year, but several other schools dropped their JV teams so it made it difficult to schedule games against appropriate opponents (schools not two and three times our size).”

“We have been trying to get a modified program up and running for several years, and with the current low numbers we are experiencing we felt it was in the best interest of our program to offer modified for grades 7-9 and varsity for grades 10-12,” he added “If the numbers get better in the future we would consider bringing back a JV team as well.”

Valley noted that Medina’s modified team “will be competing against other schools our size that include grades 7-9. We will be participating in 1 or 2 scrimmages then a 7 game season. The school program will offer off season football workouts, clinics, and strength training year round.”

Valley added that because their seasons run concurrently student-athletes will not be allowed to play both modified for the school and for LOYAL.

“Because of the time demands on these young student athletes, the modified program will not allow LOYAL players to participate in both programs at once,” said Valley. “The LOYAL program has done a great job of preparing our football players in the past, and we hope to continue that relationship. Together we want to provide a positive experience for our community at all levels of Medina Football.”