The state of Utah hosted its eight-man high school football championship games on Saturday, and it was anything but ordinary. Instead of the traditional coin toss to determine possession, the game began with a truly unique and thrilling twist: a ceremonial loose ball scramble initiated by a helicopter.
Yes, you read that right—a helicopter! It was as wild and exhilarating as it sounds, and it’s no wonder it’s grabbing headlines nationwide.
The championship game featured Monticello High School and Rich High School, two schools with smaller enrollments that made for a perfect matchup in the eight-man format. Monticello High School, located in the town of Monticello, has an enrollment of approximately 230 students, while Rich High School in Randolph enrolls around 200 students total.
With such small student bodies, neither school has the numbers to field a traditional 11-man football team with enough depth on both sides of the ball, so they compete in the eight-man division.
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Eight-man football follows similar rules to the traditional version, but with some key differences. The game is played on a smaller field, typically 80 yards long and 40 yards wide, and each team has only eight players on the field at a time.
With fewer linemen and more open space, the pace of play is much faster, often resulting in higher-scoring games. Saturday’s championship was no exception, as Rich High School dominated Monticello with a 50-14 victory to secure the 1A 8-player title. The game took place on a snowy day at Eccles Coliseum, located on the campus of Southern Utah University.
But while the championship game itself was exciting, it was the unconventional start that truly stole the show. Instead of the usual coin toss, the two teams’ captains gathered at midfield, shook hands, and prepared for a memorable experience.
Rather than flipping a coin, a helicopter swooped over the 50-yard line and dropped a football from the air. The two captains from each team then scrambled to recover the ball, and whichever captain emerged with possession earned their team the right to receive the kickoff.
The scene was nothing short of cinematic, with the helicopter hovering over the field and the football tumbling through the air before bouncing on the turf.
The players and fans alike were buzzing with excitement as the captains lunged for the loose ball. It was a spectacle unlike anything typically seen at a high school football game, and it provided an unforgettable moment to kick off the championship.
The story behind this unusual pregame procedure remains a bit of a mystery. How exactly did the idea of a helicopter ball drop come to be? Who came up with this audacious concept, and how did it get approved? While those questions remain unanswered, one thing is clear: it was an absolute hit, and the attention it’s receiving is well deserved.
This bold move has left many wondering whether other levels of football—including college and even the NFL—might consider adopting a similar approach.
The coin toss is a time-honored tradition, but it’s safe to say it lacks the kind of thrill and spectacle that a helicopter dropping a football brings. Imagine the excitement if an NCAA or NFL game began with such a daring display. The energy in the stadium would be electric, and it would add an element of unpredictability that fans crave.
For now, this helicopter ball drop remains a unique and unforgettable part of Utah high school football history. Rich High School may have taken home the championship trophy, but both teams will forever be a part of this incredible moment.
The players, coaches, and fans who witnessed it will be talking about it for years to come. Who knows—maybe this could be the start of a new tradition, one that brings an added level of excitement to the start of big games across the country. One thing’s for sure: the helicopter ball drop is in, and the coin toss may soon be out.
