NSAA responds to Omaha Benson’s cancellation of football season

OMAHA, Neb. (WOWT) - The Benson High School football season ended abruptly Monday night. An email sent to parents and staff cited low participation as the reason to cancel the bunnies two remaining games.

“They tried hard to play a full schedule this year, I know that even week to week it was a battle,” said Nate Neuhaus, NSAA Assistant Director and Supervisor of Officials. “So, I understand the decision they were forced to make. It comes down to numbers and safety, and if they can’t field a team then unfortunately it’s hard to play a football game when those numbers dwindle as it sounds like they did.”

Competition has been tough for Benson since the school was moved up from Class B to A in 2016, collecting just eight wins over the span of eight seasons. Program success could play a factor into dwindling numbers. However, Neuhaus says fewer kids are suiting up on Friday nights.

“Participation numbers are down,” explained Neuhaus. “A little bit even across Nebraska as well as across the country. They fluctuate some years participation numbers are slightly up, sometimes they are slightly down.“

Neuhaus says opportunities like clubs, another sport, eSports and other activities could be part of keeping kids off the field. Season cancellations are not new. In 2022, Lincoln Northwest High School cancelled its season due to low numbers caused by injuries. Cancellations happen more often in smaller classes like C and D.

But in larger classifications like A and B, this is a slow growing trend and its happening across the sports landscape.

“Participation numbers even in girls basketball or other sports specifically are seeing a decline,” said Neuhaus. “But football probably gets the most discussion because its a numbers game because it takes a large roster to be competitive or field a team safely.”

Conversations are happening to help keep kids in the game, and the NSAA is actively considering changes to prevent future cancellations.

Some those include a revamp of scheduling, reclassification, and more. There has also been talks to a potential change of the transfer rule.

“All of that is a part of the conversation,” said Neuhaus. “I think the transfer rule and kids changing schools has a big impact on participation numbers and the difference in team abilities across the state within a class.”

It will take some time before those changes, either big or small, can be implemented.

“What’s hard is many times, conceptionally an idea is fantastic and then logistically is where you struggle to put the pieces of the puzzle together and that is what takes the most time,” said Neuhaus.

The two teams Benson was set to play, Lincoln Southeast and Millard South will receive wins following cancellation.

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