SHOREWOOD, Wis. (CBS 58) -- A football partnership that's lasted more than two decades is coming to an end. 

Shorewood School District leaders say they will not renew their football co-op with Messmer and Dominican high schools after the 2027-28 school year. 

The district says declining participation and player safety drove the decision, with numbers so low it's become harder to safely field a varsity team. 

Shorewood and Messmer first teamed up in 2001, creating what the district calls the first public-private football co-op in the state. The district says several projects, including a documentary and book, were made about the "Messwood" team.

In 2025, the teams welcomed Dominican to the co-op. 

The district says it's still assessing whether there will be a football season next year.