After leaving eight-man football in 1992, FC has returned to its origins. In an effort to increase competitiveness and safety of players, the campus team will now suit up against schools more aligned with its school size.

Regular football consists of 11 men on the field but with the change in number of men also comes a few more changes to the game. Athletic director and football coach Mick Fuller notes the various differences in the game, remaining positive about the changes.

“The main differences are obviously that there are three less men on the field,” Fuller said. “Also the width of the field is 40 yards wide and 80 yards long, with this change it will actually be easier to see the game without so much commotion as in regular football.”

Fuller is excited for the switch in the game and the chance to play some old rivals. Fuller sees the changes as a better opportunity for the team, as it better suits the size of the team.

“This is a great switch for our program,” Fuller said. “It puts us into a league where our enrollment more closely matches our competition. We also get to reestablish some historic rivalries with schools like Coast Union and Kings Christian.”

Junior Rick Morrison is excited for the upcoming games, being able to finally participate in a real games.

“As it is my first time playing football, I’m excited to be a part of this new change to 8-man,” Morrison said. “I cant wait to hit some people and prove all of our hard work that we did over the summer has paid off.”

Fuller is hopeful for a successful season for the team. With a big turnout this year and some great team harmony Fuller believes the team will perform at their best this upcoming season.

“We will have more players on our team than most of our opponents,” Fuller said. “Usually this means we have a greater amount of skilled athletes which often amounts to, more wins! However at the end of the season we will judge the success, based on the quality of spiritual growth and team unity.”

While Fuller is thankful for the freshmen, he is dependent on the seniors to help carry and lead the rest of the team throughout the year.

“Our seniors will help to show the incoming freshmen the ways of high school football,” Fuller said. “Seniors Grant Flammang, David Taylor, Christian Saylor, Zach Jakusz, Hunter Bachman and Levi Browatzke all provide great leadership and model team behavior to the younger players. The freshmen are all great kids, competitive athletes too. They will all contribute to the team, each obtaining significant playing time.”

Taylor is excited for the season but is rather sad that the school made the change this year.

“I cant wait for the season to start,” Taylor said. “Although it’s too bad that on the year with a big turnout of participants we changed to eight-man instead of perservering and keeping the regular 11. But this way we have a bench and in case of injury can substitute with ease unlike last years squeeze for players.”

Sophomore Tyler Breedlove is optomistic for success yet is still wanting to increase the skill of the team as well as his personal skills.

“I’m excited to be quarterback this year,” Breedlove said. “My two goals are to at least make one touchdown pass and to hopefully win eight games this season. With persistent practice, the team will perfect there mistakes and be ready for whatever the other teams throw at us.”

The first official league game of the season is an away game at Riverdale Christian Schools, Sept. 13 and the second, which is the first home game of the season, against Vacaville Christian High School, Sept. 20.

This author can be reached via Twitter: @J0sh_Carter

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For more sports, read the Aug. 29 article, Volleyball teams look forward to season.