What is Cresskill and Emerson’s co-op?

For the first time in Cresskill history, our football program is forming a co-op with another school, the Cresskill Cougars have evolved into just the Cougars after bringing aboard the Emerson Cavaliers. 

For anyone not in the know, co-ops are a merger between two high school sports teams. One school takes the role of the “host school”. The host school usually has more players and therefore gets to keep the team name, home field, and practice location. In the Cresskill-Emerson co-op, Cresskill is the host school.

How is the co-op going?

The new combination of Cresskill and Emerson players has proven to be effective for both teams. Despite worries of the two teams not meshing, players would say otherwise.  Team captain Glory Moon comments on the progress of the team, “As the season goes on and we had our August camp, I think we adjusted very easily… towards the end of the season we’ll be one body of a team”.

However, not all of Emerson’s identity has been lost. The Cougars now feature a red letter “E” on the back of their helmets bringing some Cavo culture onto the uniforms. Additionally, Coach Calendrino who previously was the head coach of Emerson has been brought onto the Cresskill coaching staff as defensive coordinator to create a more seamless transition.

A significant change to the team is the new defense implemented by Coach Calendrino who prefers a 4-3 front (4 down linemen and 3 linebackers). This new defensive style matches the gritty preserving attitude of the Cougars and has been one of the upsides to the merger. 

Offensively, the team has mingled well, however, lingering injuries within the offensive line have led to significant personnel changes from pre-season. One crucial piece missing from the line is Zach Adams (Emerson senior) who has been out for all regular season games due to a spinal injury. However, as the season goes on, the team seems to be working better each week. 

Why did we need a co-op to begin with?

By the end of the 2022-2023 football season, many players and coaches wondered what the future of the program would be. With diminishing numbers (especially in the freshmen class) the team desperately needed players to remain in the liberty division. Without enough, Cresskill would have to drop to the Union division which does not have a state playoff to compete for. In addition, Emerson would not have enough players to even form a team, so by the 2023-2024 season the program would be gone without the merger. 

What will football do in general about dwindling players?

With diminishing numbers across all sports, many football teams have resorted to new solutions in order to stay afloat:

1. Cooperative Teams: As seen in the example of Cresskill and Emerson, one solution is to form cooperative teams. This involves merging with neighboring schools to create a single team, which can help maintain a viable roster. This approach allows schools to continue offering football and compete in higher divisions.
2. Safety Measures: Safety concerns are a significant factor in the decline of football participation. Schools can invest in safety equipment and training to reassure parents and students that the sport is taking their well-being seriously.
3. Youth Programs: Establishing or strengthening youth football programs can help build interest and skills from an early age, ensuring a continuous pipeline of players into high school teams.
4. Education and Awareness: Schools can also focus on educating parents and students about the benefits of participating in football, emphasizing the character-building aspects of the sport, teamwork, discipline, and the opportunities it can provide for personal growth.
5. Flexible Scheduling: Some schools are adjusting football schedules to accommodate students who may have other commitments or sports they wish to pursue alongside football.
6. Community Support: Engaging the local community, alumni, and parents in supporting the football program can provide financial and volunteer resources to sustain and grow the team.

Cresskill is not alone in the struggle to retain high school football. Despite this, the spirit of Cresskill football remains. There may not be many, but Cresskill consistently has new and dedicated freshmen which speaks to a bright future for the Cougars. The spirit of the players and coaches will always overcome any struggles that may hit the team in the future.