Football Combine Receives Support

WAITSBURG – Members of the Combine Exploratory Committee from both Dayton and Waitsburg expressed strong support for a Waitsburg-Dayton football combine at a well-attended joint work session of both school boards at the Waitsburg Elementary School library on January 27.

After listening to a detailed list of suggestions about how the combine should work from the exploratory committee, Dayton school board chair Dan Butler got to the heart of the matter.

"I would really like a review of what are the advantages for Waitsburg and what are the advantages for Dayton – and I mean kids – what are the advantages for the kids?" Butler asked.

WHS head football coach Troy Larsen said there were some very important advantages for both towns; most importantly, safety concerns and the fact that both schools would have the opportunity to play 11-man football.

Due to a statewide reclassification by the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association (WIAA), Waitsburg has been reclassified from a 2B school to a 1B school and Dayton will remain 2B. But if Waitsburg were to drop to 1B, they would have to play 8-man football.

The only way for a school to opt up to 2B in one sport, and not in all sports, is to combine with another school for that sport.

Because of low turnout, Dayton played 8-man football last year but is concerned they might not be able to field a team in coming years. Both schools have dwindling middle school enrollments. By combining, the schools would be able to play 11-man football as a 2B team.

Larsen said a side benefit of the reclassification is that Dayton and Waitsburg can build a strong bond as a football team, but they will not have to compete against each other in other sports, since Dayton will be 2B and Waitsburg 1B.

Larsen said that having more players on the field greatly increases the safety of the kids.

"When you have 40 kids on the field you can put the kids at the right level and in the right positions," he said. "You don't have 14-year-olds on the field with 18-year-olds, which is where injuries happen."

Larsen also said that the combine allows for a full JV schedule, which will allow the younger players to gain more experience.

"Varsity-wise, we're a better football program," he said. "You can get a lot more players on the field. The fresher you are, the more alert you are, the less injuries you have. You just don't see the kinds of injuries you do when you're at a small school and a freshman has to play varsity football."

Larsen said that more players means more competition among players who will work harder for positions during practices and the off-season.

"I'll be honest; you give us 40-50 kids and we're going to be pretty successful – we're going to win a lot of football games. And winning breeds enthusiasm in communities, in schools, in players, and parents. You have a better program," he added.

Waitsburg High School Athletic Director Stephanie Wooderchak said that the reclassification is a four-year commitment. If either school chose to separate from the combine during that period, each school would have to become an independent school???

Several student athletes were exploratory committee members and expressed support for the combine.

"I think it's a good opportunity for both schools that might not get the experience to play real football otherwise," said Dayton junior Ben Kleck. "Hopefully, it will be a successful team. If you look at how many injuries we've had because we've been so short-numbered, it's not worth it for us to play football with 18 people. It makes sense. And the JV can gain experience without being thrown into varsity games."

Waitsburg junior Jacob Dunn also voiced support. "There are little details we need to figure out, but it's definitely the right thing to do. I think all the kids feel that way. For each level of play it's extremely beneficial," he said.

The exploratory presented the boards with a list of suggestions for the proposed combine.

• Most practices will be in Waitsburg, with home games in both towns.

• Waitsburg will retain the current coaching staff and Dayton will hire two coaches.

• Dayton transports high school and junior high football players to practices in Waitsburg and Waitsburg incurs all transportation costs for away games.

• Waitsburg jerseys will be worn at Waitsburg home events and at all away events.

• Dayton jerseys will be worn for all JV games and at Dayton home varsity events.

• Helmets will have a stripe down the middle with a Bulldog on one side and a Cardinal on the other. Athletes will participate in choosing the mascot designs.

• An effort will be made to split home games between the two towns.

• A committee should be formed to explore a combined cheer program.

• One home game will be a dedicated senior night/homecoming in each town.

• The bands will play together at home events.

• There should be a band, student, and parent section at each event.

• Waitsburg's athletic director will schedule events (JV/V), organize workers at Waitsburg events, produce programs for all events, and attend league meetings.

• Each town's athletic director will provide supervisors for their home events.

• Whoever hosts, keeps the gate and concession receipts and can run their own fundraisers.

Notes submitted by Dayton committee member Steve Martin indicate that, without a thorough cost analysis, the exploratory committee believes the combine will cost each district about $1,000 above current expenses. This factors in costs for uniforms and equipment, coaches, and transportation.

No one spoke in opposition of the combine. The school boards will vote on the combine at their upcoming board meetings. Dayton meets next on February 3 and Waitsburg meets February 10.