BILLINGS, Mont. – The Roberts 6-man football team had to cancel its varsity schedule this fall because of a lack of players.

But the four players that remained didn’t give up. They kept practicing while coach Jeff Bermes and athletic director George Nelson approached Fromberg about the possibility of joining their 6-man team.

“They asked if I would be in favor of it,” Fromberg coach Jim Goltz said Friday. “I approached our kids about it and told them, ‘This is your team, it’s up to you.’ ”

One of the 13 players initially had some reservations, but soon agreed to the merger.

“I told them, ‘They’re going to come help us and we’re going to help them out,’ ” Goltz said.

The school boards at Roberts and Fromberg approved the co-op for football and the Montana High School Association followed suit on Sept. 16.

“They practiced last Wednesday and played with us last Saturday,” Goltz said.

He said it took a little time for the players to get used to one another, but not too long. They won 26-19 at Grass Range-Winnett.