Connecticut high school football is shrinking. 26 co-ops now help keep programs alive
Connecticut now has 26 football co-ops as declining participation pushes more schools to combine programs.
Connecticut high school football programs are dwindling, with 26 co-op teams now helping to keep them alive. Derby's Jayson Williams attempted to run for a first down during a game against GNH on October 15, 2026. Jennifer Moffat, the Derby athletic director, is urgently seeking a co-op partner to ensure the Red Raiders' program continues.
Even at full health, the Red Raiders currently have only 20 players, while Kennedy had only 13 healthy players for a Week 5 game. Waterbury Career Academy, Northwest Catholic, and Brien McMahon have also struggled with low player counts.
Co-ops have become a necessity for many CIAC schools due to declining participation numbers. Nine co-ops have emerged in the last two years, doubling the 13 co-ops that existed in 2013. While some schools resist co-op arrangements, most recognize that they are the future of the sport. Ledyard Athletic Director Jim Buonocore, whose school has a 30-man roster, maintains that tradition and independence are too important to abandon.
However, other Connecticut conferences, such as the Eastern, Pequot, Connecticut Technical, Central Connecticut, and Naugatuck Valley, have embraced co-ops, with most formed in the last decade. Co-op coaches acknowledge the challenges of coordinating schedules, transportation, finances, and equipment, but believe the benefits of stronger practices and better competition outweigh the drawbacks.
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