Some want 6-man football at Idaho's rural schools
TWIN FALLS, Idaho (AP) -- With enrollments slipping at some rural Idaho schools, football-crazy boosters say saving endangered gridiron programs could require switching to six-man teams, from the current minimum of eight players.
In the past five years, for instance, Camas County High School's enrollment has dropped from more than 70 students to currently 38 students.
To field a team now, the school has to get nearly a quarter of its student body to turn out.
One school, North Valley near Gooding, opted not to field an eight-man team this year.
Another school, Murtaugh, forfeited games after injuries riddled its lineup.
The Twin Falls Times-News reports Camas County High School athletic director Randy Jewett is pushing for six-man football -- not merely to save a sport, but to preserve a rural fall tradition.
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