WAITSBURG – Due to the dwindling number of middle school players at both schools, Waitsburg and Dayton school boards have agreed to form an athletic combine for middle school football for the 2015-16 school year.

"This will benefit our kids big time," said Waitsburg middle school football coach Jeff Bartlow, who spearheaded the idea. "We want to continue playing 11-man football at the high school and it allows us not to slip down to 8-man. Dayton is playing 8-man right now, but over time, with the size of their school, we hope to get numbers up in both schools."

Waitsburg's school board was presented with the suggestion of a Dayton-Waitsburg combine at their July 29 board meeting and responded positively.

Board chair Ross Hamann felt a combine was the right move to make, developmentally, for both programs. He also said that middle school combines were much less complicated than high school combines and that the focus was more on participation and development.

Waitsburg Superintendent Carol Clarke entered into discussions with Dayton Superintendent Doug Johnson who was also supportive of the idea. Johnson announced the combine agreement at Dayton's Aug. 19 school board meeting.

Johnson said that, with both districts experiencing a smaller number of players, the combine was the best solution to field a team consistently. Johnson said there are still some details to be worked out, such as transportation, but that school officials and parents believe the combine is a great opportunity for students.

"I am really excited to do this for the first time. It is a good fit for me as I am used to the combine we had with Prescott High School since it was installed in 2007," said Bartlow.

"I believe this will really help Dayton with participation over the next few years, both at middle school and high school levels. We just want what is best for the kids and this, right now, is best for our kids in both communities," he added.

Bartlow will be assisted by coaches Brad Sandau and Joe Rhymes, with Ben Christensen volunteering. Thirteen 8th graders and six 7th graders have signed up to play. Practices began in Waitsburg on Aug. 25 with the first game (opponent TBA) scheduled on Sept. 17.