Hot Springs to go without football team in 2017

Just as the high school football season is about to begin, Hot Springs High School had to make a heart-breaking decision on the impending season.

“We’ve had to cut the varsity team due to low numbers,” Coach Jim Lawson said.

With the team losing 10 players last year due to seniors graduating and one transfer out of the town, there were already low numbers looking toward the 2017 season.

“There were only around eight or nine players at the practice and with the school having moved up to an eight-man squad, there aren’t enough players to fill the team effectively,” Lawson said.

According to Lawson, each year the Montana High School Association (MHSA), comes together to determine the league class as to which each team will slot into.

Up until last years change decision, the Hot Springs Savage Heat was a Class C six-man team. Also noting that the school in the last six years has won two state championships, the most recent being last season.

There are a range of factors that come together to determine the step ups or step downs of the divisions. According to the MHSA, Hot Springs did petition to stay at the six-man squad instead of being bumped up to eight. Unfortunately they were declined as they did not meet the criteria.

“We had to make that tough decision sooner rather than later. The season was a week away from starting and other teams we play are getting settled into practices preparing. It’s not fair on many levels, but I need to look out for the best interest of my players as well,” said Lawson.

With looking at such a young team of mostly freshmen, and no seniors to return, it would have put a really young varsity team up against more seasoned teams.

They’re not throwing in the towel all together by any means; Lawson mentioned that they are looking into what could be done for the future.

Numbers can be deceiving when it comes to small town schools. Though you can get a kick in numbers rising for students attending, it is no guarantee that there will be the numbers to fill a team.

According to the MHSA handbook, “Any school that wishes to transfer to a different conference, division or district may petition the Executive Board in writing on or before July 1 of any school year, stating the reasons for submitting the petition. The Executive Board will decide at their November meeting whether the conference, division or district change will be granted, and the affected member schools will be notified of the proposed change at least two weeks prior to the November Board Meeting…”

The ruling goes on to further state that “Any school that feels it has sufficient cause for reclassification may petition the Executive Board in writing on or before April 1 of any school year, stating the reasons for submitting the petition.”

Though when read through, the by-laws do come across fair and within reason. But what about those special circumstances for the rural districts where numbers could not effectively and realistically be approximated for sign-ons?

There does not seem to be a clear explanation of “special circumstances” that could be sent to the Executive Board in cases such as the one seen in Hot Springs right now.

However, Section 5 of the handbook states: “No change in districts, divisions, or classification shall take place or shall any hearing considering the change take place until all schools in both the leaving and entering district, division, or class have been given two weeks notice.”

The Valley Press spoke to a MHSA representative to clarify what these rules and regulations really mean when comparing to the Hot Springs Savage Heat team.

“The board changed the enrollment ranges,” said Mark Beckman, executive director for the MHSA.

“The enrollment number ranges for high schools are 1-65 students for a six-man team and 65-130 for eight-man divisions,” Beckman added.

He also went on to explain that there are three specific criteria [as mentioned above] that have to be met, and should they not be met then such as this circumstance with Hot Springs High School, you will be denied by the board.

Selection Criteria as stated by MHSA:

- (A) Enrollment and future enrollment projections:

- Class A to Class B; enrollment cannot exceed 360 to petition

- Class B to Eight-Player; enrollment cannot exceed 140 to petition.

- Eight-Player to Six-Player; enrollment cannot exceed 70 to petition.

- (B) Roster size for the past several years (near or under the average for that classification of football)

- (C) Success factor in their current placement

As you can see there are very specific requirements that the MHSA offer to schools that may require those special circumstances.

Beckman said though it’s unfortunate that Hot Springs did not meet those in their petition, he hopes that the school can inspire more students to get involved in the football program in the future.

“Though the process and requirements may not seem fair, at the time we have well over 100 schools that are involved in the divisions including the Class C. We need to make it fair for all schools as there are even those larger schools that hold upwards of 1,000 enrollments that have seen themselves in the same position as Hot Springs High School,” Beckman said.

It’s not a total down and out for the high school. They will be focusing on the junior-varsity side this year to help further develop those younger players.

“It’s unfortunate, but these are the cards we have been dealt and we will do our best to make the most of the season with the JV side,” said Lawson.

“It’s important for each school to do what they can to inspire and recruit students to take part in athletic sports and activities. The MHSA has and will continue to provide resources and references in regard to the benefits of encouraging students to take part in these programs,” said Beckman.

“ [Hot Springs High School] have a great program. They evaluated their position correctly and effectively for the season. Every school can go through a low with numbers, but we know that their JV side can get better and help those players develop so they can hopefully return their varsity side next year,” said Beckman.