CERRO GORDO, Ill. (WAND) - Cerro Gordo/Bement and Arcola will co-op in football for the 2025 and 2026 seasons.
Cerro Gordo School District and Bement School District voted in a special board meeting July 29 to approve the agreement. Arcola approved the agreement Monday night.
Low turnout for both programs led to the decision.
"This is the third co-op really that I've been a part of, and that's always exciting when it first gets going, is meeting new kids, meeting new people and really seeing how that talent comes together," CGB Head Coach Chris Ridgeway said. "Parents are really looking forward to getting back to varsity football, so having it come back this year is something we're really excited about."
The co-op team will compete as the Arcola Purple Riders and participate in a full varsity schedule.
The new squad is already getting to know one another.
"We have the no-contact week coming up with the IHSA, so kids will really only get this week to head over there, and then we'll all get on the bus and head over on August 11," Ridgeway said. "Coach Medina, I'm sure, has systems and things in place that he planned on, but as we know, this is kind of last minute, so I'm sure we'll have to get to the table and look at everything we want to do."
The co-op comes after CGB previously cancelled its 2025 varsity football season after low player turnout.
The Purple Riders are coming off a 4-5 record last season, while the Broncos went 0-9.
The co-op is scheduled to open the 2025 season at Sullivan.
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