By Joe Pinchot

Herald Staff Writer

The Warriors are seeking new enemies to battle — Brookfield Local School District is leaving the All-American Conference.

Brookfield officials do not have any immediate plans to join another league and board members acknowledged the hazards in going without an athletic affiliation.

Superintendent Stephen A. Stohla said Athletic Director Tim Taylor and the coaches recommended the move, which the school board agreed to Thursday,

Brookfield is the smallest school in the league, which puts it at a competitive disadvantage, Stohla said.

Aside from league games, the district has little control in scheduling out-of-conference games.

“We could be forced to play Niles,” Stohla said.

Brookfield initiated a change in league policy some years ago to try to balance enrollment, but remains the smallest league school, said school board member Joseph Pasquerilla.

“I think the coaches have a legitimate point,” Pasquerilla said.

The district has gotten a call from another league about joining, but made no commitments, said board President Timothy Filipovich. The district also has found some interest in playing more Pennsylvania teams, Stohla said.

Scheduling games will be more difficult as an unaffiliated district, and the school’s athletes likely would have to travel longer distances to away games, Pasquerilla said.

“As a former coach, I strongly recommend that they find a league,” Stohla said.