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Some schools are getting such small rosters even if they are in a smaller class they will barely be able to field a roster for 11 man football. Many states use a 7 man style for the smallest classifications. This easily can be used for A football next year. 

Let teams who have small numbers still move up if they have large rosters(pm, bg, others for example) but schools that only get 20 some players can play 7 man football

No, don't force them to play 7-man or move up, but if there is enough interest then you could make a 7-man division for schools under a certain size. Florida has 8 11-man classes, as well as 6-man, 7-man, and 8-man, though these are not in the public school association. What does it matter...you'll still have Philly charter schools running the table, but now they would need to find fewer ringers.

7 man is for Iowa, North Dakota, etc., not PA.

Manfred wrote:7 man is for Iowa, North Dakota, etc., not PA.

And Texas...they have probably over 100 teams. But there wouldn't be enough interest here to make it feasible to travel and schedule opponents.

no, this is part of the reason the 6 class system was proposed. instead of facing teams with a draw from 180 boys they'll now face teams that draw from 147...that's a big difference in terms of team sizes. 

billmurray wrote:no, this is part of the reason the 6 class system was proposed. instead of facing teams with a draw from 180 boys they'll now face teams that draw from 147...that's a big difference in terms of team sizes. 

You're talking level of talent. There's still the issue of a school having enough players even interested, let alone how good they are. St. Joseph's and Saltsburg would probably still forfeit the games they did this year.

Birda hit the point exactly. Smaller size schools being in your level won't change schools only getting around 20-25 kids out.

No, I'm not talking talent level. I'm talking numbers. When you're a 1A school with 87 boys you MAY draw 20 to football...A 1A school with 175 boys may draw 35 boys. A team with 35 boys will be more conditioned/less fatigued than a team with 20 kids. They'll also be much better because they'll be able to hold full practices and have less chances of injuries depleting their roster. This is why several teams had forfeits this year, they got pounded by much stronger teams. With the new 6 classes they won't have to face such strong teams, they'll be on a more even playing field.
and Birda...how many Philly charter schools ran the table and won titles in the last 5 years? Here's a clue for you : ZERO. 2 Catholic schools have won a couple titles in 3A/4A in past 2 years...both classes that have zero affect on D6/5 football

Im sorry bill, but what 2 schools might have a rematch in A title this year? Clairton and BG. What level will those teams be allowed to compete in next year do to their class size, A.


So if the majority of the best teams are still going to be A then that point you just wrote up is extremely wrong. They still will have to face tough teams and will get injuries no matter what.

Look at the local area and you need not look further.  Take Ferndale.  They're A this year.  They'll be A next year.  They play the likes of Portage and Berlin this year.  They'll still play Berlin and Portage next year.  Classification numbers mean little when you only have 20-30 kids on a team.  Even though Berlin and Portage will be A next year, they still have numbers in the high 40's maybe even high 50's.  Not a level playing field.