ARCOLA, Ill. (WCIA) — A new era of high school football at Arcola, Cerro Gordo, and Bement is set to begin after the schools announced a football co-op for the next two years.

The team will play under the Purple Riders name with Arcola’s schedule.

They have an open spot for a game in week seven when the schools were initially scheduled to play each other.

Despite this change coming under less than ideal circumstances, Arcola High School Principal Nick Lindsey sees the positives that can come from this co-op.

“I told our kids and our coaches like we’ve got to look at this as an opportunity that you’re going to make friends and meet people that you probably wouldn’t have had that opportunity had this not taken place,” Lindsey said. “Changing your mindset to find the positives of all the different changes in the whirlwind that we’ve all gone through.”

The agreement between the schools ultimately aims to keep kids on the football field on Friday nights.

“We’re in this business for kids and all schools felt like this was the best opportunity to give them that chance to play and have a season,” Lindsey said. “Friday night football is special, and to be able to have them playing under the lights on a Friday night again, it means a lot.”