Lack of competitive balance boils over in high school sports

Oct. 15, 2024, 3:45 p.m. ·

A football player in a white and black uniform is getting spun down for a tackle while carrying the ball. A player in a black and red uniform appears to be able to make the tackle while the ball carrier fights for his balance.
(Nebraska Public Media News file photo)

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Omaha Benson High School has canceled and forfeited the rest of its football games this season.

Benson High is 0-7 on the season including three losses by 60 or more points. The Bunnies had two games remaining against Lincoln Southeast and Millard South.

Jeff Johnson is the associate director of the Nebraska School Activities Association (NSAA) and serves on the competitive balance committee. The committee began in January, when member schools approved it.

Schools across the state struggle to find and keep athletes, especially in sports like football and girl’s basketball, Johnson said. Socioeconomic factors are one of several root causes.

“It seems like the (competitive) gap is widening, and part of that is the transfers," Johnson said. "Part of it too is the schools that were already good are getting better because the talented kids seem to be attracted to certain schools."

In Nebraska, open enrollment laws grant parents the right to transfer their kids to any school in the district, Johnson said, which is likely used more in Omaha and Lincoln. Omaha Public School also didn’t play football in 2020 because of COVID-19. Some schools are still recovering, he said.

But Benson’s decision isn't isolated.

Last week, Lincoln High decided to forfeit the second half of a game against Millard South. South led 63-0 at halftime.

At smaller schools, Banner County and Southern Valley also forfeited its remaining games this season, according to Nate Neuhaus, assistant director at the NSAA.

“This would be the first forfeiture of the remainder of the season in Class A,” Neuhaus said.

Competitive balance, or lack thereof, is an issue in other states as well, Neuhaus said.

Potential solutions are coming.

A new rule passed by member schools in January would allow schools to play against smaller programs in football without penalty.

“Well, currently, if you choose to opt down, you're not eligible for the playoffs. So, the competitive balance committee can look at your story and grant you the opt down and be eligible for the playoffs,” Johnson said.

The rule could impact the fall 2026 football season.

Administrators at Fremont High School proposed a new competitive balance idea. It would split Class A into two, 16-team subclasses based on past success, Johnson said.

“And then, they play games within their 16 teams and then qualify for the playoffs based on what level they're at,” he said.

Member schools will vote on whether to approve the standard in November and January. In November, one of the six districts in the state would need to approve the measure for it to advance. If three of the six vote yes in January, it gets final approval.

Johnson said the NSAA is open to any proposal ideas for restoring better competition in Nebraska.