Lake Linden-Hubbell running back Jesse Hill rushes against West Iron County on Saturday, Oct. 5, 2019, in Lake Linden, Mich. (Adam Niemi/The Daily Mining Gazette)

LAKE LINDEN – On Thursday, Lake Linden-Hubbell schools announced that their football program will be transitioning from traditional 11-man football to 8-man football starting with the 2020 season.

The Lakes finished 6-3 last season and 5-2 in the WestPAC Iron Division. They defeated West Iron County in a pre-district game 36-14 before falling to Ishpeming in districts, 30-18.

The school said that the decision was “ensure the continuation of the Lakes football program in the face of declining enrollment and low participation numbers.”

This move will align the Lakes with schools of similar size while also renewing rivalries with Crystal Falls Forest Park, North Dickinson and Ontonagon.