By Tim Kowols
The Sevastopol Pioneers will have nine new teams to defend their WIAA 8-man football crown from in 2019, including Packerland Conference rival Algoma.
The WIAA announced changes to the 8-man football league Thursday, which could expand to as many as 48 teams in 2020. Algoma filed their paperwork to join 8-man football after the program spent its entire lifespan in 11-man football. Gibraltar and Sevastopol will see some foes go away next season as well. Oneida Nation and NEW Lutheran will merge with Providence Academy to form a co-op team, taking at least one game off the schedule. Gone also is Menominee Indian, which will make the move to 11-man football in 2019.
Algoma will not be eligible for the state playoffs for the near future as its three-year enrollment is above the 200-student threshold requirement. NEW Lutheran, a perennial power in 8-man football for years before this season, will also not be eligible for the same reason when its team merges.