In Milton, the local high school football scene is buzzing as coach Steve Dembowski presses for change within the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association (MIAA) football format. At a recent meeting with the MIAA Football Committee, Dembowski made it clear that he wants to bring his playoff proposal to the Board of Directors despite facing stiff opposition.
During the meeting, Dembowski pointed fingers at the Tournament Management Committee (TMC) for dismissing his plan. He expressed frustration over what he called “inappropriate comments” made by some committee members, which he feels cast a negative light on his proposal. Dembowski emphasized that his school supports the idea, as do 80 percent of the coaches in the Bay State Conference. He warned that the football program is at risk, having lost 35 programs in the last 12 years.
“We need to make it clear to the board that our sport is in trouble,” Dembowski said. “If they decide against it, then I’ll zip my lip, but people on this committee have worked too hard and our story needs to be told.”
Not everyone on the committee is convinced that the Board of Directors would open their ears to the same proposal. Committee chairman Jay Costa suggested it might be wise to modify some aspects that had previously upset the TMC. Ultimately, the committee voted 6-4 to revisit the proposal before a March 1 deadline for approving a new format for the upcoming fall season.
A follow-up meeting is scheduled for February 12 at 9 a.m., where they’ll discuss possible changes. One hot topic was the issue of schools that fail to follow through with non-playoff games. Last season, one school backed out of a scheduled consolation game, leaving the other team in a lurch. A suggestion was made that any school failing to play a scheduled game would face consequences, including being ineligible for the following year’s postseason.
The ongoing discussions indicate a desire for improvement in high school football, with stakeholders pushing for solutions to keep the sport thriving. As these deliberations continue, the community is watching closely to see how the future of high school football unfolds.
