Lower Merion's High School Football Teams Will Combine Next Year

LOWER MERION, PA — Lower Merion's high schools are joining forces on the gridiron, with plans underway to merge the football teams.

Starting with the 2027 football season, Harriton High School and Lower Merion High School will form a football team with athletes from both schools.

The Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association (PIAA) approved the merger at its October meeting, according to Dr. Frank Ranelli, superintendent of Lower Merion Schools.

In the coming weeks, Ranelli plans to meet with the schools' principals and athletic directors to start figuring out logistics for the combined team.

Updates will be shared in the coming weeks and months, Ranelli said.

"While thoughtfully implementing this change to our high school football programs will require a lot of work, the goal is to create a sustainable program that prioritizes the safety of our student athletes while preserving their opportunities to participate," Ranelli said in a letter to the district community.

Declining football participation has been a concern at both high schools. Last year, more than 300 people signed a petition calling for the teams to be combined.

"With shrinking rosters at both Harriton and Lower Merion, our kids are being put at risk every Friday night," the petition says. "We need the district to act now to unify the programs and protect player safety."

Harriton's 2026 season was canceled after one game — a 53-0 loss to Pottstown. School officials said the decision came down to player safety and low participation.