The Minnesota State High School League board of directions unanimously voted today to approve Zero Week for high school football starting in 2011.

Zero Week basically adds a bye week for teams that already have a full schedule. But some local coaches have said getting a full schedule is already hard. Adding an extra week could complicate things for a couple reasons.

No. 1 – having a bye week might work but for schools in lesser populated areas, they could have a hard time finding other games to play.

No. 2 – there are some conference, i.e. the Heart O’Lakes, that have a solid number of teams. That conference is adding Hawley next season. But there are some schools that don’t have a conference and must play section games. Then the need to find games to play becomes greater.

Zero Week is common in a few states, notably Texas. It serves as a bye week there but even coaches in a football-crazy state like that one have a few problems finding competition near home.

-Ryan S. clark