8-Man Football Changes Coming

[ACICOD]

The NSAA Board of Directors voted today (5-3 in favor) to update the classification number for 8-man football to 55 boys (& under).

They also approved with this move a change to three 8-man classes.

Classes would be approximately 35 schools in size. Every 8-man school would play 9 regular season games and playoffs would include 16 schools per class (a change from 64 playoff teams in 2 classes to 48 playoff teams in 3 classes).

 

[northeastNebraska]

So we will see a class with an enrollment break of about 8-9 kids. Something like enrollment from 34-43. Not a big fan of that.

 

[Husker7562]

What would classes look like if it started this coming season?

 

[hailvictors2]

So we will see a class with an enrollment break of about 8-9 kids. Something like enrollment from 34-43. Not a big fan of that.

I think this should be a goal for the entire state. Group like sized schools in the same classification. South Sioux City (460) to Grand Island (1103) is waaaaay too big. Same with Platteview (164) to Ralston (411). Those current A and B enrollment gaps are necessary to have a fair amount of teams in each class (and B still doesn’t have enough). I’m 100% good with grouping 35 teams that are 8-9 kids apart. Thats as good as it gets.

 

[Drake1979]

So will the schools above 55 get the chance to opt down and play 8 man for two years? Or will that finally be done with.

 

[hailvictors2]

So will the schools above 55 get the chance to opt down and play 8 man for two years? Or will that finally be done with.

I doubt that goes away. I think part of the purpose of the waiver period is to provide financial relief for schools that are on the enrollment line between 8-man and 11-man. There is a cost involved with moving goal posts to convert a field from 8-man to 11-man or vice versa. I heard that several years ago, not sure how true it is.

 

[Alum-Ni]

Nebraska high school eight-man football to expand to three classes after NSAA approval

Eight-man football in Nebraska high schools will expand from two classes to three beginning in 2026.

omaha.com

The vote to expand was 5-3, with both of the District 2 reps (Omaha) and District 4 voting no.

There was no discussion before the vote, which matched how the six legislative districts voted at their January meetings.

The result could be that the eight-man state finals won't stay in Memorial Stadium.

NU officials have told the NSAA that the stadium cannot be available for a third day of finals. Currently, the two eight-man finals are played there on the Monday before Thanksgiving.

Adding a class, taking the combination of 11-man and 8-man state finals to seven games, either means playing four games on one of the two days or taking the eight-man finals to a new venue.

Those choices could include Seacrest Field in Lincoln and the University of Nebraska at Kearney's Cope Stadium. The six-man state final is played at UNK the Thursday or Friday before the other finals.

Starting in 2026, Eight Man-1 would be for the 32 largest eligible schools, with Eight Man-2 and Eight Man-3 dividing the remaining schools.

Starting this fall, eight-man will have its playoff qualifiers seeded statewide from the start. In recent years, an east-west split was employed for the first round games. And the higher seed will be be the home team for every game preceding the finals.

The NSAA Board also approved jamboree games for baseball and for Class D1 and D2 basketball to have the higher seed host district finals. A proposal to redraw the lines for the NSAA's six legislative districts, to balance the schools in a district, failed on a 4-4 tie.

A request from Omaha Westside to allow its girls wrestlers at next season's Ironman tournament to compete on the second day of competition, which falls on a Sunday, was turned down. The Nebraska High School Sports Hall of Fame's request to end rent payments for its space in the NSAA building, once the NSAA pays off its mortgage, was approved, beginning in 2027.

 

[Alum-Ni]

Here are the Board meeting minutes from today

The NSAA Board of Directors met on April 10, 2025 at the NSAA Office in Lincoln with the following members present:

District I - Kara Graham, Lincoln Southeast​

District I - Dade McDonald, McCool Junction​

District II - Dr. Nick Wemhoff, Fort Calhoun​

District II - Thomas Lee, Omaha Westview​

District III - Dr. Jon Cerny, Bancroft-Rosalie​

District IV - Darren Tobey, Broken Bow​

District V - Robert Drews, Arapahoe​

District VI - Dr. Troy Unzicker, Alliance​

​

Also in attendance: Dr. Zainab Rida, Nebraska Department of Education Liaison; Bobby Truhe, NSAA Legal Counsel; Brad Hoesing, Wausa Superintendent; Corey Uldrich, Hartington-Newcastle Principal; Brad Metzler, Omaha Westside Assistant Activities Director; Bob Mulligan, Omaha Westside Girls Wrestling Coach; Nebraska High School Sports Hall of Fame Board Members Steve Shanahan, Dr. Jerry Bartee, Wendy Henrichs, Sue Wilcoxson; NSAA Student Advisory Committee Members: Calah Archibeque, Burwell; Jay Koozer, Norfolk; Charlotte Gregor, Omaha South; Emma Brown, High Plains; and Bianca Vannier, Lincoln Northwest.

The meeting was called to order at 2:00 P.M.

1. Moved to approve the Consent Agenda. Items on the Consent Agenda included:

- Approval of the Agenda as presented​

- Approval of the Minutes of the March 12, 2025 Board of Directors meeting​

- Approval of the Financial Statements​

​

- Approval of the following new cooperative sponsorships for the 2025-26 and 2026-27 school years:​

• Harvard and Giltner for Boys Basketball and Girls Basketball

- Approval of the following cooperative sponsorship renewals for the 2025-26 and 2026-27 school years:​

• David City, East Butler and Shelby/Rising City for Girls Wrestling
• Cross County and Osceola for Boys Wrestling
• York and McCool Junction for Boys Wrestling
• Hastings, Adams Central and Hastings St. Cecilia for Boys Swimming and Girls Swimming
• Omaha Skutt and Elkhorn Mt. Michael for Boys Swimming
• Papillion-LaVista and Papillion-LaVista South for Boys Swimming and Girls Swimming
• Emerson-Hubbard and Allen for Speech

Motion Carried: 8-0

2. The Board considered all NSAA Approval Ruling proposals:

1. School Balance Redistricting: Motion Failed: 4-4 (For: Graham, McDonald, Tobey, Unzicker | Against: Wemhoff, Lee, Cerny, Drews)
   
   
2. Class Caucus Criteria: Motion Carried: 7-1 (Against: Lee)
   
   
3. Opting-Up Classification: Motion Carried: 7-1 (Against: Lee)
   
   
4. 3rd & 4th Place Awards at State: Motion Failed: 2-6 (For: Cerny, Drews | Against: Graham, McDonald, Wemhoff, Lee, Tobey, Unzicker)
   
   
5. Adding Baseball Jamboree Games: Motion Carried: 8-0
   
   
6. Higher Seed Hosts in Class D1 and D2 District Finals Basketball: Motion Carried: 8-0
   
   
7. Class A and B Bowling Serpentine Districts: Motion Carried: 7-1 (Against: Drews)
   
   
8. Cross Country Classifications: Motion Failed: 4-4 (For: Wemhoff, Cerny, Tobey, Unzicker | Against: Graham, McDonald, Lee, Drews)
   
   
9. Cross Country Districts Based on Four Times: Motion Carried: 6-2 (Against: Wemhoff, Lee)
   
   
10. Increase 8-Man Football Eligibility Number to 55: Motion Failed: 4-4 (For: Graham, McDonald, Wemhoff, Cerny | Against: Lee, Tobey, Drews, Unzicker)
    
    
11. Increase 8-Man Football Eligibility Number to 55 and Create Class D3: Motion Carried: 5-3 (Against: Wemhoff, Lee, Tobey)
    
    
12. Split Class C, Increase 8-man Eligibility Number to 60 and Create Class D3: Motion Failed Due to lack of Motion
    
    
13. Football - Renew Waiver Period: Motion Carried: 7-1 (Against: McDonald)
    
    
14. Class D1 and D2 Football Playoff High Seed Hosts Throughout: Motion Carried: 8-0
    
    
15. Seeding Class D1 and D2 Football Playoffs Statewide: Motion Carried: 6-2 (Against: Graham, Drews)
    
    
16. Award Bonus Points for Playing Opt-Down Teams: Motion Failed 4-4 (For: McDonald, Wemhoff, Cerny, Unzicker | Against: Graham, Lee, Tobey, Drews)
    
    
17. Class A Football Scheduling: No Motion
    
    
18. Class AB Football: No Motion
    
    
19. Golf Cart Availability for Coaches at District and State Golf: Motion Carried: 6-2 (Against: Tobey, Drews)
    
    
20. Eliminate Scoring Monitors at Class A & B District and State Golf: Motion Failed: 3-5 (For: Graham, Wemhoff, Lee | Against: McDonald, Cerny, Tobey, Drews, Unzicker)
    
    
21. Modify Class A District Softball Schedule: Motion Carried: 6-2 (Against: Graham, McDonald)
    
    
22. Unified Exhibition Category at State Journalism: Motion Carried: 8-0
    
    
23. Expand Unified Track to three divisions: Motion Carried: 5-3 (For: Graham, McDonald, Wemhoff, Lee, Unzicker | Against: Cerny, Tobey, Drews)
    
    
24. District Finals Host in Volleyball: Motion Carried: 8-0
    
    
25. Class D District Wrestling Realignment: Motion Carried: 7-1 (Against: Unzicker)
    
    
26. District Dual Championships: Motion Failed Due to Lack of Second

3. Moved to approve a lodging reimbursement increase for state championships from $20 per student to $40 per student. Motion Carried: 8-0

4. Moved to approve the Executive Director's performance objectives. Motion Carried: 8-0

5. Moved to approve a new rent agreement with the Nebraska High School Sports Hall of Fame, beginning in 2027 for a period of 5 years. Motion Carried: 8-0

6. The Board heard a report from the NSAA Lobbyist.

7. Omaha Westside requested a waiver of Bylaw 3.3.9 - Sunday competition.

8. Members of the Student Advisory Committee reported on the committee meetings and service projects throughout the 2024-25 school year.

9. NSAA Staff reports included the following informational items:

• Continuing and expanding the NSAA's partnership with Nebraska Strength & Conditioning to provide free and discounted services and opportunities for member schools was discussed
  
  
• The NSAA Officials Summit will take place on Saturday, August 2, 2025 in Kearney
  
  
• Fillmore Central's Evelyn Meyer is Nebraska's first NFHS Student Advisory Committee member

10. It was moved to enter into Closed Session at 3:49 p.m. to discuss the Omaha Westside waiver request, possible enforcement and changes to complaint rules and to receive legal advice. Motion Carried: 8-0

11. The Board exited closed session at 4:23 p.m. Motion Carried: 8-0

12. The Board voted to deny the Omaha Westside waiver of Bylaw 3.3.9 - Sunday Competition. Motion Carried: 8-0

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 4:25 p.m.

The next meeting of the NSAA Board of Directors will be May 23 at 8:00 a.m. at the Courtyard Marriott in LaVista.

 

[ftball95]

If you are close to the 55 cut off number and opting down because you can't get enough kids out to compete in 11 man so be it but if you are 15-20 kids over the 55 cut off then that shouldn't be allowed.

 

[highschoolfootballnut]

If you are close to the 55 cut off number and opting down because you can't get enough kids out to compete in 11 man so be it but if you are 15-20 kids over the 55 cut off then that shouldn't be allowed.

The state of Iowa plays 7 Football Championship in the same place in two days , so why cant Nebraska ?

 

[billybob131]

The state of Iowa plays 7 Football Championship in the same place in two days , so why cant Nebraska ?

Memorial Stadium is going to Natural grass instead of Turf. Imagine what 7 games would do to that.

 

[runningback43]

Memorial Stadium is going to Natural grass instead of Turf. Imagine what 7 games would do to that.

Probably do less damage to the field than you think it would.

 

[opinionated.old.fart]

The state of Iowa plays 7 Football Championship in the same place in two days , so why cant Nebraska ?

What a great 2 days of football that is as well. Sit there all day and watch great football. But I get the natural grass argument too. The field would be a mess for the rest of the college season.

 

[highschoolfootballnut]

Memorial Stadium is going to Natural grass instead of Turf. Imagine what 7 games would do to that.

so you are saying that Nebraska is the only state in the USA that would be playing their High school state title games on Natural grass with 7 games and that one game extra is just to much Come one

 

[Alum-Ni]

so you are saying that Nebraska is the only state in the USA that would be playing their High school state title games on Natural grass with 7 games and that one game extra is just to much Come one

If the weather is wet, it could be a problem to play seven consecutive games on it....and then the Huskers trying to play a game on it as well a few days later (Every other year)

 

[hailvictors2]

I keep laughing at the people on Twitter talking about how playing 7 games at Memorial Stadium will be terrible for the natural grass field and potentially ruin it for "When Nebraska hosts a College Football Playoff Game". Lets be clear. Nebraska isn't sniffing a playoff. We've won 16 games in the last 3 seasons. Michigan won 15 games in 2023 alone. The gap between the top tier of college football and Nebraska is about the same as the gap from Nebraska in the mid-90s to the rest of the Big 8. We don't need to worry about preserving the field for a potential home college football playoff game.

 

[nenebskers]

I keep laughing at the people on Twitter talking about how playing 7 games at Memorial Stadium will be terrible for the natural grass field and potentially ruin it for "When Nebraska hosts a College Football Playoff Game". Lets be clear. Nebraska isn't sniffing a playoff. We've won 16 games in the last 3 seasons. Michigan won 15 games in 2023 alone. The gap between the top tier of college football and Nebraska is about the same as the gap from Nebraska in the mid-90s to the rest of the Big 8. We don't need to worry about preserving the field for a potential home college football playoff game.

They are referring to the Iowa game on Black Friday.

 

[GrizzzlyPanda]

Regardless of the grass argument. NSAA schools that voted on this proposal knew going into it that the University would not allow a 3rd day of state football, as well as saying no to more than 3 games in a single day. All of this was well established before the votes took place. Everyone knew this was going to be the case if a 3rd class of 8 man did indeed pass.

 

[Suhisabeast]

I see the concern with grass and the Black Friday game, but as pointed out Nebraska isn’t sniffing a home playoff game for quite some time. Move the championships to the week after Thanksgiving and call it a day. It impacts only the 14 schools playing in the games, so they might have a few more days of delayed winter practices. And if Nebraska does host a CFP it will be several weeks later, giving some time for the grass to recover. I think it’s being overthought.

 

[highschoolfootballnut]

I see the concern with grass and the Black Friday game, but as pointed out Nebraska isn’t sniffing a home playoff game for quite some time. Move the championships to the week after Thanksgiving and call it a day. It impacts only the 14 schools playing in the games, so they might have a few more days of delayed winter practices. And if Nebraska does host a CFP it will be several weeks later, giving some time for the grass to recover. I think it’s being overthought.

You can play 7 games lots of states do it Its just Nebraska and change is not very welcomed and slow to happen Look at UNL and husker fans They still believe spending 5 to 8 million on football players is going to win the big 10. LOL why your top teams spend 13 to 17 million

 

[Alum-Ni]

NSAA rejects proposal for 180-day ineligibility period for late high school transfers

In a split vote Friday, the NSAA rejected a proposal for a 180-school day varsity ineligibility period for students who change high schools after the May 1 state deadline.

omaha.com

In a split vote Friday, the NSAA Representative Assembly rejected a proposal for a 180-school day varsity ineligibility period for students who change high schools after the May 1 state deadline.

The 53-member body voted it down 26-27. Passage would have required 32 yes votes.

Proponents sought to replace the longstanding 90-school day varsity ineligibility period, which doesn't affect spring-sports athletes if the school change comes during the summer.

- To address shrinking school sizes and interest in sports, practice-only participation by seventh- and eighth-graders for high school volleyball, golf and wrestling teams was approved. However, allowing eighth-graders to be on varsity teams in football, basketball and volleyball at the smallest schools (boy or girl enrollment less than 20) was rejected.

As a result, board chairman Darren Tobey of Broken Bow said before the vote, some schools may not have enough players to field teams and play their schedules next year.

 

[opinionated.old.fart]

Not drinking the kool-aid huh? Stay tuned...

 

[Power_I_82]

Here is my take. I for one like the addition of the D3 class. I think it levels the playing field across 8 man and puts the classes more in line with what every other class has numbers wise. I also applaud moving the finals out of Memorial Stadium. Again, my opinion is the games had kind of ran their course there. Several reasons for this. The atmosphere at Memorial Stadium is terrible. 500 people scattered throughout the stands 50 yards from the field doesn't do much for me. Also, when they moved the games down there, it was every high school kids dream to step on that field. Now, half the kids aren't even that big of Husker fans. It's lost its appeal to some. Another thing, nobody likes playing a state final at 11:00am. High school kids are creatures of habit and need routine. Morning football games are tough.

Here is what I think should happen:
Move it to Cope Stadium
4 games over two days with the 6 man title game
4:00pm and 8:00pm kickoffs
Kearney will do a great job with this. The crowds and atmosphere would be great. I hope they put a bid in to host. It would be centrally located and a short enough drive for many to get to the games more easily and economically.

 

[HighPlainsCoach]

So we will see a class with an enrollment break of about 8-9 kids. Something like enrollment from 34-43. Not a big fan of that.

I see your point. The only thing I would offer is that the smaller the number, the more the differences matter. I think Class A needs to be bigger in football, by about 8-10 teams. Your top 8 or so would have zero problem playing in Class A. It would also give the 6-8 smaller A's schools much more like them. If I have 550 boys I should be able to find enough good ones to play. If I have 45 boys, a lot more fluky genetics occurrences come into play.

 

[HighPlainsCoach]

Here is my take. I for one like the addition of the D3 class. I think it levels the playing field across 8 man and puts the classes more in line with what every other class has numbers wise. I also applaud moving the finals out of Memorial Stadium. Again, my opinion is the games had kind of ran their course there. Several reasons for this. The atmosphere at Memorial Stadium is terrible. 500 people scattered throughout the stands 50 yards from the field doesn't do much for me. Also, when they moved the games down there, it was every high school kids dream to step on that field. Now, half the kids aren't even that big of Husker fans. It's lost its appeal to some. Another thing, nobody likes playing a state final at 11:00am. High school kids are creatures of habit and need routine. Morning football games are tough.

Here is what I think should happen:
Move it to Cope Stadium
4 games over two days with the 6 man title game
4:00pm and 8:00pm kickoffs
Kearney will do a great job with this. The crowds and atmosphere would be great. I hope they put a bid in to host. It would be centrally located and a short enough drive for many to get to the games more easily and economically.

We drag kids all over the state for initial qualification. I don't think easy or economical has any part in the decision, sadly.

 

[ClkTwr2011]

We drag kids all over the state for initial qualification. I don't think easy or economical has any part in the decision, sadly.

Ya, you may be right.

 

[ClkTwr2011]

Regardless of the grass argument. NSAA schools that voted on this proposal knew going into it that the University would not allow a 3rd day of state football, as well as saying no to more than 3 games in a single day. All of this was well established before the votes took place. Everyone knew this was going to be the case if a 3rd class of 8 man did indeed pass.

Ultimately it is the decision on the University to not allow another day or game. As you are saying, they clearly communicated that. All of my thought and points are pretty much wasted. The decision has been made.

 

[ClkTwr2011]

If you are close to the 55 cut off number and opting down because you can't get enough kids out to compete in 11 man so be it but if you are 15-20 kids over the 55 cut off then that shouldn't be allowed.

I understand your point you are making. Unfortunately the opt down is a remedy for participation problems, not enrollment problems.

 

[ftball95]

I understand your point you are making. Unfortunately the opt down is a remedy for participation problems, not enrollment problems.

I understand that but it should be up to the coaches and the school to get kids to participate.

 

[ClkTwr2011]

I understand that but it should be up to the coaches and the school to get kids to participate.

That is the age-old argument. Sometimes, no matter how hard they try, the kids just don't want to participate.

We are of course talking about Class D, the smallest classes. The easiest way to illustrate this is the Grand Island HS Girls basketball not having enough kids to field a team. Sometimes they just don't want to play. The opt down will at least allow the few kids that DO want to play an opportunity to do so.

This isn't personal toward you, so please don't take it that way. To me, the opt down is the absolute very least of the concerns in HS Football. The teams that are opting down are generally not very good at football. If they do win a few games, they are primarily against teams that are also not very good at football. Never have I seen an opt down team effect the outcome of the playoffs and that is even with the bloated 32 team format.

Here is an issue that I believe should be discussed in great length because it actually does effect everyone involved. If this is written into the new "3rd Class of 8 Man" rule, then I apologize in advance because I didn't find it. If we are going to add another class of 8 man football, then these 3 classes need to move to a 9th game and a 16 team playoff. This would save a lot of schools in that 17-32 range a lot of money. Play the 9th game close to home and just be done with it. I sure hope that this is being addressed.

 

[JAW20]

That is the age-old argument. Sometimes, no matter how hard they try, the kids just don't want to participate.

We are of course talking about Class D, the smallest classes. The easiest way to illustrate this is the Grand Island HS Girls basketball not having enough kids to field a team. Sometimes they just don't want to play. The opt down will at least allow the few kids that DO want to play an opportunity to do so.

This isn't personal toward you, so please don't take it that way. To me, the opt down is the absolute very least of the concerns in HS Football. The teams that are opting down are generally not very good at football. If they do win a few games, they are primarily against teams that are also not very good at football. Never have I seen an opt down team effect the outcome of the playoffs and that is even with the bloated 32 team format.

Here is an issue that I believe should be discussed in great length because it actually does effect everyone involved. If this is written into the new "3rd Class of 8 Man" rule, then I apologize in advance because I didn't find it. If we are going to add another class of 8 man football, then these 3 classes need to move to a 9th game and a 16 team playoff. This would save a lot of schools in that 17-32 range a lot of money. Play the 9th game close to home and just be done with it. I sure hope that this is being addressed.

I believe that is the case - 9 games and 16 playoff teams.

 

[ClkTwr2011]

I believe that is the case - 9 games and 16 playoff teams.

That would be great! Thank you for the clarification. I appreciate it.

 

[Bubman86]

Memorial Stadium is going to Natural grass instead of Turf. Imagine what 7 games would do to that.

I still don’t understand why they have to play the finals in Memorial Stadium. I understand the thought of playing where the Huskers play but the stadium is basically empty for the majority of the games.
I also understand the fact they want the finals televised I just think a smaller venue would be better than the current one.

 

[hailvictors2]

I still don’t understand why they have to play the finals in Memorial Stadium. I understand the thought of playing where the Huskers play but the stadium is basically empty for the majority of the games.
I also understand the fact they want the finals televised I just think a smaller venue would be better than the current one.

100% agree. Playing in Memorial Stadium doesn't matter like it once did. When they originally put the finals in Lincoln it was 1996 and Nebraska was coming off back to back National Championships. Nearly ever HS football player in the state wanted to wear the big red N. That's just not the case anymore. The atmosphere at Memorial Stadium is mediocre. Put the games back in high school stadiums. Those places are rocking. 2020 was awesome.

One of the biggest arguments against moving the finals out of Memorial Stadium is the TV coverage thing. I don't have a remedy for that. All I can say is playing in hs stadiums is better for the kids, which is what we should be thinking of. Not the adults sitting at home on their couches.