Albion, Medina could vote next month to merge football teams
Photos by Tom Rivers: Geno Allport speaks during this evening’s Albion Board of Education meeting, stating his support for an Albion/Medina merged football program. Linda Weller, the board president, and Mickey Edwards, the district superintendent, are shown leading the meeting.
ALBION – They have been rivals on the football field for more than a century but beginning in 2026 they could be teammates.
Albion and Medina school officials and coaches have held preliminary discussions about a merger of their football programs with the goal of player safety and a sustainable path for the program at both districts, Mickey Edwards, the Albion district superintendent, said at this evening’s Board of Education meeting.
“This is about providing our students safe and meaningful athletic opportunities,” he said.
Both schools have shrinking enrollments and declining student participation in football. Both did not field JV teams this past season, offering varsity (grade 10 to 12) and modified (grade 7 to 9). Those teams also were often short on players, pushing some students to play above their grade levels. The schools held some joint practices when they were short on players.
Mickey Edwards, the district superintendent, played for Albion’s football teams when he was a student. He said he values the relationships and opportunities from his playing days.
Medina almost went to 8-man football due to low student participation before switching back to 11-man before the start of the season.
The boards of education from both districts need to vote next month if the merger is to go forward, Edwards said.
Section 6 has given the districts until February to decide so the Section can plan the football schedule for 2026. Albion has been playing in Class B while Medina is in Class C.
If the districts vote to move forward with a merger, all the details don’t need to be ironed out by February, Edwards said during this evening’s Albion BOE meeting.
The cost of the program would be split 50-50 for uniforms, coaches, transportation and other expenses. Each district would likely host two home games. There would be a head coach for each team and coaching staff from both districts.
Edwards said Albion and Medina would need to approve an intermunicipal agreement and the two districts would decide on colors and a mascot for a merged team.
Albion will next meet on Feb. 9 and will decide if it backs a merged football program.
John Kast and Trellis Pore were among the board members who spoke at this evening’s meeting, saying they support student safety and continued opportunities with football.
Two community members spoke during the Albion board meeting. Molly Preston is the mother of the Albion varsity quarterback, a sophomore. She also is a member of the football boosters at Albion.
She doesn’t want to see Albion make a hasty decision. She said some Albion players would see less playing time. A merged team would mean more travel time and less school rpide, she said.
“I encourage exploration of all options,” she said. “I’m not against a Merger but I see it as a last resort.”
Geno Allport, an Albion youth football coach for 25 years, said a merged team would be better for Albion and Medina, allowing them to field more competitive teams at modified, JV and varsity.
Allport also coaches in Rochester for a high school. Albion and Medina working together could offer more coaches, and the players from both schools would become teammates with friendships that last beyond school, he said.
Albion has often been overmatched in recent years, and some Albion kids have transferred to play at private schools in Buffalo, further diminishing the Albion program.
A competitive team would draw more students, keep them engaged and not overcommit some of the younger players who are needed to play above their grade levels, Allport said.
He has seen other nearby schools, who were bitter rivals, link up on the football field as teammates to great success. He noted Elba and Oakfield-Alabama, Alexander and Pembroke, and LeRoy and Caledonia-Mumford have joined forces with their football teams, despite their rivalries from years ago.
Medina has had merged programs with other districts, including a past partnership with Lyndonville for football.
Medina is expected to discuss a possible merger with Albion during the Jan. 13 board meeting. It then meets again on Feb. 10.
Photo by Cheryl Wertman: Albion defensive lineman Jackson Snook is congratulated by his teammates after scoring the go-ahead touchdown late in the Purple Eagles thrilling 30-27 win over visiting East Aurora/Holland on Oct. 16 for Albion’s only win in the 2025 season.
