Hillsborough will be one of the few local school systems to offer middle school football. The sport is not played in Pinellas or Polk counties, but it has been a part of the Pasco school system for decades. The body hasn't fully developed. District athletic director Vernon Korhn said the emphasis will be on participation, not cutting children from teams because of their abilities. Boys will be placed on seven-member teams playing hourlong games.
Defenders grab a flag worn around the waist instead of tackling the ball carrier.
Nearby schools will compete against one another. Anything to an extreme is bad. The benefits are not just physical. The research is real clear. We know kids involved in extracurricular activities are less likely to have other problems.