The Erie Red Devils wrapped up their inaugural season of 8-man football with a 4-5 record, reaching the playoffs in their first year under the new format before falling to South Sumner in Week 9.

It was a season of adjustment for the Red Devils, who were forced to make the transition after declining enrollment left the program with a smaller roster and an entirely different style of football to learn.

For head coach David Pitts, the change meant stepping into unfamiliar territory after spending the majority of his coaching career in the 11-man game. Following a season-opening loss, Pitts says he reached out to fellow 8-man coaches and spent more time researching the game, looking for ways to help his players adjust and put them in the best position to compete.

The progress began to take shape in Week 2 against Pleasanton, when Erie came away with an 82-36 victory. Pitts says that was the first time he really saw his players begin to find their identity, giving the group a boost of confidence and plenty of enthusiasm for the season ahead.

With a demanding schedule and district, Pitts made it clear to his team that taking the next step would require winning the games against lower- and middle-tier opponents. The Red Devils faced their share of challenges throughout the year, with all five of their losses coming against teams that finished among the top 15 in the 8-man Division I rankings.

As the season progressed, Pitts says the players became more comfortable with the details of the game, continuing to develop their understanding of the techniques and schemes that make 8-man football different. That willingness to learn and improve became one of the qualities that made this group special, particularly as the players grew more confident in their roles and in what they could accomplish together.

Pitt's says there will be plenty of experience returning to Erie next season, as the Red Devils bring back several key contributors from their 2026 roster. That group includes standout running back Quincy Brown, a dynamic playmaker in the backfield, along with Liam Ramirez, Danny Nally, Jacob Graham and Jackson Palser. The returning players will have an opportunity to build on what they learned during the program's first season in the new format.

For the seniors moving on, Pitts says he hopes the relationships they built throughout the season are what they remember most. Beyond the wins and losses, he believes the time spent alongside their teammates and the experiences they shared on the field will remain some of the most meaningful parts of their high school careers.

Pitts also points to something that won't necessarily appear in the stat sheet or show up in the team's final record: the way the players came together and took the initiative to lead by example. He says their discipline and pride were evident in the care they took of their surroundings, consistently leaving the locker room and practice field in pristine condition after each practice. It may seem like a small detail from the outside, but that kind of accountability speaks to the character of the players and is an important quality for both individuals and the team as a whole.

After a storied coaching career on the gridiron, Pitts will retire at the end of the year, bringing his time on the sidelines to a close with a new chapter ahead. He plans to spend some of that time away from football doing a little fishing, while the Red Devils prepare to move forward under a new head coach. Erie will look to build on the foundation established during its first 8-man season and carry the experience of a 4-5 campaign into 2027.

Erie Football Season Results 2026:

Week 1 – L 46-0 vs. Cair Paravel
Week 2 – W 82-36 at Pleasanton
Week 3 – L 66-12 vs. South Sumner
Week 4 – W 50-0 at Udall
Week 5 – W 24-0 vs. Southeast
Week 6 – L 61-12 at Oswego
Week 7 – L 58-6 vs. Yates Center
Week 8 – W 62-24 at West Elk
Week 9 – L 52-0 at South Sumner

Final Record: 4-5