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Birch Hills can’t compete in SHSAA playoffs

Oct 22, 2016 | 8:22 AM

Coming off a runner-up in the 2A 6-man high school football provincial finish last season, the Birch Hills Marauders were on their way to a playoff spot.

They finished off their regular season with a 63-18 victory over Big River to finish off second in their conference with a 4-1 record.

But there’s a problem, they can’t go into the playoffs.

As per Saskatchewan High School Athletics Association (SHSAA) rules, 6-man football schools cannot have more than 85 boys enrolled in grades 10-12. Since Birch Hills is in a joint sponsorship with both St. Louis and Kinistino, those schools’ enrolments count as well. That put Birch Hills over that limit.

SHSAA assistant executive director Dave Sandomirsky said the school applied for an exemption to allow them to stay in 6-man football instead of making the jump to 9-man. The exemption was granted in Jan. with “the understanding that they would be playing exhibition games only and not be able to play in the playoffs.”

As an additional allowance, if the numbers came under at Sept. 30 this year, the Marauders would have been able to play in the postseason.

But the numbers stayed above the limit, meaning despite Birch Hills’ second place rank in their conference they have to sit out the postseason.

Birch Hills head coach and vice principal Kevin Tait said he was “disappointed” they couldn’t play but understood and accepted the ruling.

He said they knew the risks when they decided to stay in 6-man football.

“Was it tough not be in playoffs? Yes. But you balance that on students being allowed to play football and enjoy the program, and we just have such a great group of guys. It is fun going out and coaching and practicing each day. They just make it worthwhile,” he said.

Tait added the partnership with Kinistino is ending after this year. With Kinistino’s enrollment off the books, Tait said they’re now “well below” the limits.

They only had two players from Kinistino on the team this past season, and one is graduating.

 

jdandrea@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @jeff_dandrea