Barnes County North Faces Football Uncertainty
VALLEY CITY, ND (NewsDakota.com) – Barnes County North is facing uncertainty in regards to its football program. With a realignment plan in progress, 9-man schools calling for a limit on teams, and two nearby teams rejecting co-op offers, the options for the Bison are diminishing.
Originally in a successful co-op agreement with Valley City until 2024, Barnes County North found themselves in a difficult position when realignment discussions classified them as an AA team. The decision to end the co-op was made by Valley City’s school board, pending an emergency waiver from the North Dakota High School Activities Association to allow them to play in the A division.
Despite efforts to explore other co-op possibilities with neighboring schools, including Griggs-Midkota and Maple River, Barnes County North has faced rejections due to potential impacts on the classification of the partnering schools. Starting their own nine-man team seems unlikely given the limitations set by the NDHSAA on the number of teams in the division.
Considering the option of starting a six-man team, the Bison would face logistical challenges in finding nearby opponents for games. The nearest six-man teams are located in Drayton and Warwick, with other schools scattered across the region.
As discussions continue with Valley City and Jamestown, Barnes County North remains committed to exploring various options to provide football opportunities for its students. However, the future of the program remains uncertain as they navigate the challenges presented by realignment and co-op rejections.
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