Six man it is

Rumors that had circulated throughout the summer that Saratoga Middle/High School (SM/HS) would not have an 11-man football team this year were confirmed on July 15 by SM/HS Activities Director Greg Bartlett through a press release posted on the Saratoga Middle/High School Facebook page.

“This spring when we started looking into the upcoming 2018 HS football season,” wrote Bartlett, “we realized our participation numbers were going to be low. After both Saratoga and Encampment High Schools asked for initial football participants, it was evident we would not be able to field a full 11-man football team.”

After consulting with the administration of Carbon County School District No. 2 and the Wyoming High School Athletic Association (WHSAA), the decision was made for SM/HS to have a 6-man Junior Varsity football program for the fall of 2018.

“This decision was brought back to the student athletes who signed up to play and the majority felt they wanted to play football at whatever level we could schedule,” Bartlett continued.

The WHSAA as well as a letter from SM/HS was sent out to inform the 2018 scheduled opponents that Saratoga would be forfeiting their 2018 Conference 11-man schedule. SM/HS also asked the other schools if they would consider playing Saratoga in 6-man football. According to Bartlett’s press release, some of the schools have responded stating that they would try and fit it into their schedules.

Along with the announcement of SM/HS forfeiting the 2018 season came that of new SM/HS Physical Education teacher Logan Wright accepting the position of Head Football Coach. Wright, who has previous experience coaching 6-man football in Rock River, will be coaching alongside assistant coach Tate Stinson.

Practice for high school football has been tentatively scheduled for Aug. 13 but an official date will be sent out to those student athletes participating this upcoming season.

The Saratoga Sun attempted to contact Bartlett, but was unable to by press time.