2 Alaska high schools plan to merge their football programs

FAIRBANKS, Alaska (AP) - Two Alaska high schools hope to end their difficulties fielding football teams by merging their programs.

The Fairbanks Daily News-Miner reported Sunday that Monroe Catholic High School in Fairbanks and Tri-Valley School in Healy have signed an agreement to establish a joint football team.

School officials say Monroe has had 17 or fewer players each of the past two to three years, while Healy has been unsuccessful in fielding a team.

Officials say a Tri-Valley teacher and community volunteer will serve as coaches in Healy and then at least twice per week the squad will join Monroe players and coaches in Fairbanks 112 miles (about 180 kilometers) north.

Officials say Tri-Valley students will pay the Monroe football fee of $300, but the schools will maintain separate academic eligibility requirements.

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Information from: Fairbanks (Alaska) Daily News-Miner, http://www.newsminer.com