Prairie Farm Winner of the 8-Man Jamboree

Game Result:  Prairie Farm  70,  Abundant Life / St. Ambrose  14

It wasn't that long ago that Prairie Farm had one of the worst seasons in the entire state of Wisconsin football. But stepping back and evaluating the team, coaches were able to see the promise of freshman and sophomores trying to compete against juniors and seniors in other programs. The Panthers would be better but when the chance came to jump into non traditional 8 man football, it looked like the answer to low numbers but high quality players. Prairie Farm coaches. led by Kade Antczak, embraced the change and saw the possibilities as everything had to be adapted. Fundamentals and playground creativity became successful partners. The Panthers opened with a rousing 84-8 win over Winter but many skeptics wondered if this still passed for the game we all love. As the season went on teams became better. Exciting games against New Auburn (56-28), Bruce (34-24) and Luck (50-25) drew good crowds to the point that other small schools with small team numbers have been giving 8 man football some thought. Last Saturday, Prairie Farm took the field against Abundant Life / St. Ambrose as the number one seeded teams faced off one last time. The skill of Panther QB Josh Siebert and the running of Tristen Beyer turned a close first period into a second period route as the Panthers put up 30 on their way to a 70-14 victory. When the dust cleared last Saturday, one thing was very clear, good football is good football whether there are 11 players on each side or just 8. Congratulations Prairie Farm and all the other 8 man schools for turning a difficult situation into one that continues school and civic pride.