Low numbers, injuries jeopardize football programs

GAMES BECAUSE OF INJURIES. >> ASHLEY WASHBURN HAS THE STORY. >> IT’S A TREND, NOT JUST WISCONSIN, BUT THE ENTIRE COUNTRY IS SEEING THE DECLINE OF AMERICA’S GAME. BIG FOOT HIGH SCHOOL HAS WITNESSED FIRSTHAND THE DECREASE IN INTEREST GOING FROM STATE CHAMPIONS IN 2009 TO HAVING TO FORFEIT THEIR NEXT 2 GAMES. CERTAINLY THERE’S A LOT OF THINGS FOR KIDS TO DO. THERE’S OTHER INTERESTS AND ALL OTHER ACTIVITIES WITHIN THE SCHOOL. >> IT’S ALSO IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT I I THINK IN A LOT OF SCHOOL DISTRICT’S ENROLLMENT ARE DOWN AS WELL. AND BIGFOOT ISN’T ALONE IN THEIR

DECISION TO FORFEIT AFTER WAUKESHA SOUTH CANCELED THE REMAINDER OF ITS 2022. SEASON DUE TO OVERWHELMING INJURIES. THE SAME PROBLEMS ARE RESURFACING, FORCING THE BLACKSHIRTS TO FORFEIT FRIDAY NIGHT’S GAME AGAINST MUSKEGO. THE PROGRAM RELEASED A STATEMENT ON TUESDAY SAYING THEY ARE WORKING TO RESUME THE SEASON. >> HEAD COACH DARNELL. WELL, IT’S THE KIND OF COMMENT ON THE SITUATION. HOWEVER, IN A GUEST OPINION PIECE THAT WAS PUBLISHED LAST NOVEMBER WILL THROW TO THE W ASKING TO LEAVE THE CLASS A GATE AS IT STANDS NOW. EVERY 2 YEARS SCHOOLS HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO PUT IN FOR CONFERENCE REALIGNMENT.

>> AND STATE THEIR CASE AS TO WHY THEY WANT TO MOVE CONFERENCES. TYPICALLY CONFERENCES THAT IMPORTANT PIECES OF CONFERENCE REALIGNMENT IS ENROLLMENT. AND GEOGRAPHY. SO WHY NOT ELEVATE JV PLAYERS? YOU KNOW, TAKING A 5 FOOT 110 POUND FRESHMAN. >>

AND PUTTING A MOUNTAIN OF MERCY FEEL JUST SO THE OTHER TEAM HAS A GAME IS NOT WHAT EDUCATIONAL BASED ATHLETIC SAYS ABOUT DOUG BELIEVES THE W IS DOING EVERYTHING THEY CAN ADDING BOTH 8 MAN FOOTBALL AND THE ABILITY TO CO-OP. >> WE HAVE A GREAT COACHING STAFF DOING ALL THE RIGHT THINGS TRYING DO THE PROGRAM ON.

>> AND I THINK WE’LL GET THERE BIGFOOT IS HOPING TO FINISH OUT THEIR VARSITY SEASON, BUT THEY WILL HAVE A FINAL DECISION BY SOMETIME