Eight Man Town
In Wisconsin, the Elkhart Lake-Glenbeulah football team has enjoyed a new-found popularity since converting its 11-man team to 8-man. This resort town school joined a statewide trend toward this style of play, which allows small schools -- many of which are shrinking due to rural population decline -- to compete with each other on a level playing ground.
The community -- small thought it may be -- behind the school has wholeheartedly embraced the new style of play. "The student section is phenomenal," head coach Barry Feldman said. "Our players feel it. They hear it, and they see it. And it makes them play even harder."
--
Elkhart Lake-Glenbeulah students and band members, from left, Sydney Shovan, Eliza Meyers and Riley Winter prepare for their halftime performance during the first half of the Resorters' game against Valley Christian. As is tradition, students covered the town with toilet paper leading up to the big game. Elkhart Lake-Glenbeulah won 55-12 and finished the season undefeated.
Chicago Freelance Documentary Photographer | Alyssa Schukar | Photojournalist
