[Beetle01]

I haven't heard anyone say the program has gone downhill because of the way the JFL/MS teams are set up. I think some people including me think it may dwindle numbers some, but thats not for certain, numbers have been dwindling anyways, so maybe the younger grades will have a surge sometime. If not Russell will be 2A very soon. I graduated in 01, there were about 800 kids then. Now there's only 650. Thats a big drop in a 6-7yr span.

I think I understand your idea. Say 80 kids come out 6-8th not including those on the freshman who are actually in MS.
Those are about the same numbers as when I was there, 11-13yo's 4 teams, probably about a 17 kid per team avg.
You label the teams A,B,C,D or however to be politically correct.
A team is the top team, their coach picks whoever he thinks is the best 11 players for his team and are physically capable, they will play 8th grade teams only, filling positions as needed. Then B picks 11, then C, and finally D.

After that you take however many kids are left, dive by 4, D team gets the extra pick. A team will pick their next 6 kids, then B and so on.

This ensures everyone stable playing time, also, if there is an 8th grader who would do nothing but ride the pine on the 8th team, he plays down, not much of an issue I don't think, since I remember MS teams having kids up to the age of 15 sometimes 16. Also if there are stellar 6th grade kids who can play up, then they should play against the better competition, it will only make them better.
I know you have some stellar kids on your team Devil, I think they would benefit form playing up with the 7th, maybe even 8th.
I think doing it this way ensures cohesion between the grades, because once in HS you got soph's playing with seniors and juniors. Also more kids will come out I think if they know for sure they will get to play.
I know of plenty of guys who wouldn't have got in the game if it wasn't for the 2nd quarter rule. They ended up being pretty decent HS players.

So your A team plays only 8th
B plays only 7th, maybe an 8th if they need to fill in schedule
C and D play 7th and 8th

Try and schedule 15 games per team per season, or as many as possible imo. I loved to play and the more games you play I think that will draw out more kids. Even if your playing every Tues. and Sat. for the whole season.