FAIRBANKS, Alaska (AP) — Two Alaska high schools hope to end their difficulties fielding football teams by merging their programs, according to school officials.

Monroe Catholic High School in Fairbanks and Tri-Valley School in Healy have signed an agreement to establish a joint football team, the Fairbanks Daily News-Miner reported Sunday.

A teacher and a community volunteer will serve as coaches in Healy and then at least twice per week the squad will join Monroe players and coaches in Fairbanks 112 miles (about 180 kilometers) north, officials said.

The first practice for the combined...