Changing the way football is played in West Virginia is being seen as a way to help the state's smaller high schools keep the game alive.

The state chapter of the National Football Foundation has approached the West Virginia Secondary Schools Activities Commission about creating eight-player football teams for schools with enrollments below 150 students.

Hannan High School coach Dave Barr says the switch would help schools like his, which has less than 150 students in grades nine through 12.

The Mason County school only has 12 players for its 11-player team. So far this season, the team's record is 0-9.

Commission Executive Director Gary Ray says he hasn't looked at the group's proposal, but creating eight-player teams would have to be studied.

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