After nine years without a football program, West Campus High School welcomed an eight-man football team this fall, initiating a major turning point in the school’s athletic history.

In eight-man football, the field is smaller – just 40 yards wide vs. the 53 ⅓ yards for standard 11-man football. The result? A faster-paced game.

The reduced number of players is perfect for West Campus, considering its smaller student body compared to other high schools in the Sacramento region. 

Mary Lucca, the West Campus athletic director, said the football program was discontinued almost a decade ago because the school did not meet certain requirements established by the  California Interscholastic Federation’s Sac-Joaquin Section, the governing body for public and private school athletics in the Sacramento and Stockton regions. 

“What stopped the football program nine years ago was losing a key agreement with the district’s small schools, from which we got most of our players,” Lucca said. “Unfortunately, the agreement was canceled when we got a new (section) commissioner, as players from small schools could only play for their home area high school. Not only did we lose that eligibility, we lost the players as well, so we didn’t have the numbers to continue the program.”

Nine years later, the West Campus football comeback became a reality because of the unified support from district officials and West Campus staff and students. Lucca said West Campus took the opportunity and is developing the program into something the community can look forward to on Friday nights.

West Campus is one of 15 schools in the section playing eight-man football this fall. Six schools are in the Sacramento Metro Athletic League, five make up the Northern Pacific Athletic League and four – including West Campus – are independent. The Warriors have struggled so far this season – they’re 0-5 and have been outscored 289-6.

But that hasn’t dampened enthusiasm for the revival of the sport. Even though football games have become something many students and staff look forward to, integrating the program hasn’t been easy. Coach Ryan Aulin said the program has gained significant momentum after initial difficulties.

“Recruitment was not easy because a lot of kids are afraid of getting concussed and facing other injuries, but we’ve managed to obtain a full roster by spreading the word around school,”  Aulin said. “And for this season, there wasn’t much funding, only enough for the bare minimum. But we’ve already had four games that went smoothly and will continue to fundraise despite the hardship we’re facing.”

Faculty and staff have been enthusiastic supporters for the football program, watching the eight-man football program become integrated into the athletic department and its goals. The positive institutional support has been mirrored by the students themselves, as student attendance increases with each new game. There is high hope that the eight-man football program will continue for longer than one season, suggesting that the program is here to stay.

Braxton Thach is a sophomore tight end and linebacker for the team, and he said the football program has definitely fostered a sense of community among players but also the school as a whole as shown by a growing attendance at Friday games.

“I really enjoy being in the football community because it’s allowed me to bond with people that share the same interests as me,” Thach said. “And football is also bringing the school as a whole closer together because it’s sparked school spirit and support for our players. I hope football game attendance will increase to enhance the positive vibe that we have on our campus.”

Eight-man football has fit in swiftly into the West Campus athletic department, Lucca said, and she hopes the program will reinforce a positive experience for both the players and observers.

“Now you can go to a West Campus football game on Friday nights instead of traveling to another high school to watch one,” Lucca said. “The program is just starting off, but I hope it continues to contribute to the awesome community that has already been established here at West.”