Concord Switches to 8-Man Football

Concord High School Coach Max Clark, center, will count on players, from left, Austin Obenour, Calvin Clark, Tyler Carpenter, and Jacob Cook in the 2021 football season.

By Jeff Steers
JTV Sports

(August 6, 2021 10:00 AM) Due to projected low numbers Concord High School is switching to 8-man football this season.

Head football Coach Max Clark says it will give his players a chance to have a valuable experience on Friday nights.

The Yellow Jackets finished 1-5 a year ago in a COVID-19 shortened season. Concord lost to Bridgman 43-21 in an 8-man contest to finish the season.

“Our projections have the next eight classes in a row at Concord with 50 kids or less,” Clark said. “We will be getting back to basics and focusing more on character development as well as community involvement.”

Clark said this team will set the standard for years to come.

The Yellow Jackets will play in the newly formed Tri-River 8-Man Football League with Vandercook Lake, Britton Deerfield, Vermontville Maple Valley, and Northpointe Christian.

Clark has been trying to stress the point that it is still football and players still need to block, tackle, and make plays.

Key players for the Yellow Jackets include Tyler Carpenter (QB/DB), Calvin Allen (OL/LB), Jacob Cook (RB/LB), Austin Obenour (LB), Phillip Horrell (OL/DL), Logan Lamb (RB/LB), Ethan Rose (OL/DL), Cole Gannon (OL/DL), and Devin Bisonet (OL/LBO.

Allen led the Yellow Jackets with 78 tackles a year ago in only six games. Carpenter switches to the quarterback position after leading the team with 247 receiving yards in 2020.

Newcomers expected to help Concord this season are Omarion Culliver (QB/LB), Ja’Vion Taylor (WR/DB), Makhi Wingfield (WR/DB), Anthony Evans (WR/CB), Carter Arbuckle (OL/DL), and Mark File (QB/DB).

The COVID shortened season left the Yellow Jackets – and the rest of the teams in the state – wondering whether they would play from week to week.

“Last year we learned to appreciate what you have,” player Calvin Allen said. “You still had to be ready to play your best.”

Concord will start the season on Aug. 27 against Climax-Scotts.

Concord High School

2021 Football season

Aug. 27 Climax-Scotts at Concord 7 p.m.

Sept. 2 Concord at Britton Deerfield 7 p.m.

Sept. 10 Bridgman at Concord 7 p.m.

Sept. 17 Concord at Maple Valley 7 p.m.

Sept. 24 Concord at Vandercook Lake 7 p.m.

Oct. 1 NorthPointe Christian at Concord 7 p.m.*

Oct. 8 Concord at Fulton 7 p.m.