CRAWFORD COUNTY - Two local school districts changed their minds about playing football this fall and decided to play football in the specially created spring season this year. 

While both North Crawford and Wauzeka-Steuben initially opted to play football this fall, the decisions of other school districts were instrumental in having them re-evaluate their initial fall football choice.

North Crawford previously signed up for their first year of eight-man football. The season as initially envisioned was to have been a nine-team conference with and eight-game schedule.

After considering the problems of long distance travel in the COVID pandemic, the number of teams in the conference was pared down to six and there were to be five games.

However, when the WIAA created a spring season for fall sports, including football, three of the five teams opted for the spring season. Two, including North Crawford, still wanted the fall season. One’s preference was unknown, according to North Crawford School Superintendent Brandon Munson.

Considering the situation, North Crawford re-evaluated their initial decision and switched to the spring season. That makes four teams from the newly formed eight-man conference in the spring football season.

In addition to North Crawford, the other three area eight-man football teams ready to play this spring are Kickapoo-LaFarge, Weston-Wonewoc Center and Wisconsin Heights (Mazomanie).

If Belmont and/or Williams Bay decided to play in the spring, the eight-man football conference could have as many as six teams and play a five-game schedule.

If neither Belmont nor Williams Bay decided to play in spring, the four schools already committed could play home-and-away to create a six-game schedule.

The Wauzeka-Steuben School District had some other things to consider.

Wauzeka-Steuben High School is in a co-op football team with Seneca High School. The Blue-Golds, as the team is known, have had some success over the last four years including winning three consecutive Ridge and Valley Conference Football Championships.

However, the Seneca School Board decided to play football in spring on the same night that the Wauzeka-Steuben School Board opted for the fall football season.