By Adam Studzinski

BLOOMINGTON – A new proposal would mean the Corn Belt and Okaw Valley become one conference beginning with the 2017-2018 school year. The idea has the support of Central Catholic High School football coach Mike Moews.

Central Catholic is a charter member of the Corn Belt.

“It gives us some stability, which is a good thing,” said Moews. “Scheduling for football has always been difficult, and now that really helps us.”

University High School recently accounced it’s leaving the Corn Belt to join the Central State Eight starting with the 2017-2017 school year. The move would leave the Corn Belt with just five schools. However, the merger proposal would create a 10 conference school.

A 10 school conference means not having to worry about scheduling non-conference football games. The downside is CCHS would not have room on its schedule to continue playing Inter City rival U-High. Moews called that “a bummer.”

“It’s always been a great rivalry with them,” said Moews. “All the other sports will be able to still compete with them. It’s just we only play nine regular season games and our hands are tied in that regard.”

Moews added the Okaw Valley would bring strong competition, which he welcomed.

“Actually, four of the five teams we’ve played in the past. So we’re somewhat familiar with them,” he said.

The merger proposal still needs approval from school superintendents and Board of Educations.

Adam Studzinski can be reached at [email protected].