By Jon Sicotte
Posted April 8, 2008

Read the full story tomorrow in Weds. Advertiser:

"FAIRGROVE — The Akron and Fairgrove communities merged their football programs nearly 50 years ago.
But with economic times the way they are, the school’s size has shrunk over those 50 years and now a new change to form bonds with another group of communities has risen.
The groundwork has already been laid and will await a green light from the Akron-Fairgrove School Board on Monday to see if the Viking High School football team will co-op with Owendale-Gagetown and Caseville High Schools to make a new football program."

Now, I'm hearing that parents don't want this to happen...

HUH? make your players better, have more fun and enjoy playing high school football with a team of more than 11-15 kids? I also added a commentary to tomorrow's paper, here is an exceprt:

"A-F had to forfeit the 2005 season because of lack of participation and the years I have been here, they have never had enough for a junior varsity team.
Or even a full-team scrimmage.
Owen-Gage has had larger teams overall, but many are freshman that quit by their senior year, starting the cycle of having to play younger and less experienced players.
How is this fair to the kids that want to have fun playing football?
Sure, winning isn’t everything. But can’t at least giving yourself a chance to win be part of it?
This could be a whole new era for the Akron, Caseville, Fairgrove, Gagetown and Owendale communities.
Pulling resources (coaches, fans, volunteers) along with athletes from each community will only be a plus.
Maybe, a chance to build something.
Something good, something competitive."

Read this and more in Wednesday's Advertiser.