SHERMAN N.Y. — High School football kicks off in just six weeks and for Clymer, Panama and Sherman that's the beginning of their merger as one team
"Without all of the schools coming together, we wouldn't have football anymore," said Sherman/Clymer/Panama head coach Ty Harper.
That's the reality for many rural school districts, where high school football is still a life blood of the community. But dwindling student population has the game on life support.
"It's pretty essential that these schools get together and do this or football wouldn't be an option here anymore," added Harper.
Thankfully for longtime rivals Sherman, Clymer and Panama's love for football has kept their programs alive via a merger of three proud programs giving Coach Harper over 35 student athletes to field his resurrected team.
"We really needed more guys this last year, we really haven't had very many. The year before that we had a good team, but we didn't have enough guys to compete, so this is going to be nice," said running back Kory Ayers.
The players said there was an initial shock to get over when they found out three rivals were coming together to make one team, but when their coaches explained this was their best chance to win those rivalries went out the window.
"Initially I wasn't too thrilled about it, but now that I am here with everyone it is honestly probably the best thing to happen to football around here. It should be a good team and a good year," said quarterback Jack Payne.
To help fast track the merger, coaches from all three programs have immersed themselves and the team into as many summer camps as possible.
"Historically, these are three rivals playing against each other. To break down those walls and come together as a team we've done that in June to pay dividends in September," said Harper.
The Wolfpack open their season by hosting Frewsburg in Clymer Saturday, September 5.