DECATUR -- After a dismal 2017 football season that saw several player injuries and the forfeit of the last three games, the Decatur Bulldog varsity football team is up and running in a new football league this season.
Since May, new athletic director Toby Conrad and Sheldon McKinzie worked with the Arkansas Activity Association and five other small Arkansas schools to form the new eight-man football league. In late June, the teams were set and the league was ready for its first season in Arkansas.
When McKinzie accepted a coaching position with the Gravette Lions, Decatur found itself without a coach. Within a few days of McKinzie's departure, a new head football coach was hired to tackle the eight-man football challenge. That job fell to James Ortiz, a former assistant football coach at Pea Ridge.
The Decatur football program began in 1956. At that time Arkansas had an eight-man football league. For the next few years, the Bulldogs played in this league until the mid-1960s when the program expanded into the 11-man conference. Bulldog football thrived for nearly four decades as 11-man. But when numbers fell off in recent years, the program suffered and the season was nearly canceled twice.
This year is totally different with more players hitting the field. Ortiz began working on fundamentals, devising a new play book and honing tackling skills. This year, the Bulldogs are ready to hit the field running.
Eight-man football is not that much different from its larger counterpart. The biggest difference fans will notice is the width of the playing field. The standard is 53 yards, but the eight-man field is 40 yards wide.
"Even though the field is only 40 yards wide, there is plenty of open space for people to run," said Ortiz. "This will lend itself to a more fast-paced game simply because there will be more one-on-one passing, more one-on-one running, and double coverage than in 11-man."
Ortiz is quick to point out that, with fewer players on the field, the possibility exists that fans will see longer runs with more trips into the end zone.
"Don't be surprised if the score reaches into the 50s or 60s or higher each game," Ortiz remarked.
As of Aug. 13, the number of players for the Decatur program was about 22, with more seeking to join each week. Ortiz believes that every one of his boys is an outstanding player this season. But there are three that are exceptional.
"I have two seniors this year that stand out on this team, Cayden Bingham and Austin Hamilton," Ortiz stated. "Another one is Bryson Funk (sophomore). These guys are looking unbelievable."
When asked who will start at quarterback, Ortiz is reluctant to name names, saying only that he has a pair of excellent players who have been working out in that position.
"We have two guys that are vying for starting quarterback this season," said Ortiz. "I don't really want to say anything about them right now because I want them to have a fair chance. I don't want to say that he is in the lead or the other is in the lead."
He is quick to point out their attributes and that each has an equal chance as the quarterback.
"One of the guys has a really great arm," said Ortiz. "The other is a little older, but he also has a great arm. Most likely one of them will end up as the quarterback and the other a running back or receiver. At least we have the option of switching them back and forth if needed."
Ortiz believes the Decatur football team will overcome the adversities of the past five years to shine under the eight-man program. He sees the fans getting on board once the season progresses.
"I believe that, once the fans understand eight-man football, they will get into it and enjoy it more," Ortiz concluded. "Eventually, I think we will start to see the bleachers fill up, once word gets out about Decatur football. I would like to see the entire community come out and support these kids. I know the kids will play harder and have more fun if they know their family, friends and the community are all in the stands cheering them on."
The future of eight-man football in Arkansas is in the hands of Decatur and the other five teams in this new league. The Arkansas Activities Association will be watching very closely to see how well this trial plays out. If it is successful, there are several smaller schools like Decatur that are waiting and watching with deep interest. If it goes as planned, these small school will get a real shot at a football team, many for the first time.
2018 Decatur High School Eight-Man Football Schedule
8/31: Hermitage at Home
9/7: Augusta at Augusta
9/14: Episcopal Collegiate at Home
9/21: Woodlawn at Woodlawn
10/5: Hermitage at Hermitage
10/12: Augusta at Home
10/19: Episcopal Collegiate at Little Rock
10/26: Woodlawn at Home
11/2: Arkansas School for the Deaf at Home
Kickoff times to be announced.
Game locations subject to change due to travel arrangements.
Sports on 08/22/2018