>La Grande Observer | Union and Wallowa Counties' News Leader

Wallowa High’s homecoming court is introduced during halftime of the Cougars’ eight-man football game against Imbler. - Observer photos/BARRETT HENDERSON

The Wallowa Cougars hosted the Imbler Panthers at 2 p.m., and the Joseph Eagles played the Cove Leopards at 7 p.m.

In Wallowa, under the hot September afternoon sun, smoke wafted from Thursday night’s bonfire, still smoldering nearby.  Middle school-aged boys played their own version of short-squad football on the sidelines.

The Wallowa homecoming princesses, waiting to be introduced at halftime, were resplendent in their chiffon sundresses and coiffures prepared especially for the event.

Though the Cougars struggled, the game was fast paced and exciting. In the end, Wallowa lost to the Panthers, 78-36.

After a week of festivities there was one more athletic event, the volleyball game held in the Cougar Dome. The homecoming dance was later that night.

Homecoming, a time honored tradition, is usually associated with football. With dwindling enrollment, many schools that have traditionally played 11-man football have made the change to an eight-man squad. Head Coach Mitch Frye of Wallowa comments on the importance of the change in order to keep the football program competitive.

“Keeping football gives the community something to hold on to,” Frye said. “Without athletics we might lose kids from the school roles all together. School sports generates great pride in the kids and the community.”

Wallowa and Joseph’s 1A classification means they have enrollments of fewer than 116 students. More than 80 schools in Oregon are classified 1A, the most of any classification in the state. These schools can opt to play either eight- or 11-man, but most football programs on the 1A level are choosing to play eight-man.

“Eight-man provides the opportunity for more ‘Ironman’ football: playing offense, defense and special teams,” Frye said.  “The advantage for these players is to know both sides of the ball. Size is not the best thing – athletes need to run. Bigger is not always better.”

Observer photos/BARRETT HENDERSON

It hasn’t been too many seasons since the Eagles, Cougars and the Panthers went to an eight-man squad, but the Cove Leopards have a long history with the game. Coach Skip Pereira led strong teams in the 1980s and ’90s.

Cove’s current head coach, Todd Shirley, coached eight-man at Powers for seven years. His first experience with the game was assisting the Days Creek team prepare for the state playoffs. Shirley learned a true appreciation for the game.

“Back then (in the 1990s) it was hard to find consistency among eight-man programs.  Now there is a high level of competition.”

Coach Rusty Eschler of Joseph went to eight-man in 2004.

“To prepare for the change we played an eight-man game at Pine Eagle in ’03. That first year was rough. Coaching the game was a lot different. You are missing three very valuable positions. Playing eight-man creates more responsibility for each player.  It’s the same ball, the same field, just less players.  And it’s a lot of fun.”

Differences that distinguish eight-man football from 11-man is most notably the elimination of three players. It depends greatly on the type of formation used, but the eliminated players are commonly two offensive tackles and a wide receiver on offense and two defensive backs and a defensive lineman. Formations vary widely, but commonly include the I formation and the T formation.

Gridders on eight-man teams routinely play both offense and defense, with each player shouldering more responsibility. - Observer photos/BARRETT HENDERSON

“Speed overcomes size,” he adds. “The change opens us up as coaches to try different things, and it provides a better chance for the kids to be competitive.”

The 2005 season was the first time Joseph made the state playoffs since 1958.

On Friday night, under the lights in Joseph, the Eagles were victorious in their homecoming game, beating the Leopards 38-14. Though there were no official cheerleaders, a handful of high school girls led cheers to coax their team on to victory. Kids huddled in sleeping bags and under blankets on the sidelines.

Clad in black dresses, the homecoming princesses were driven around the field in an antique car at half time and then introduced to the home crowd along with their escorts. The court’s high school activities were noted including sports, FFA, National Honor Society and Family, Career, and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) to name a few.

There were no pep bands. There were no cheerleaders. But there was football and there were fans. There were coaches and players who love the game and the opportunity to be innovative, competitive and to run, run, run.