RENO -- After much ado, it finally appears Nevada high school football teams will be able to play a 10th game this year.

The Nevada Interscholastic Activities Association said it will allow teams to play a Hall of Fame game, in essence adding a 10th regular-season game. But it will be up to each district to decide whether its schools can participate.

NIAA executive director Eddie Bonine said the association brings in more than $35,000 each year from the games. That money goes toward the NIAA Hall of Fame, which honors contributors to Nevada prep sports.

Bonine conceded there was much grass-roots support for a 10th game.

"We were willing at the NIAA level to cut out that (extra income)," he said this week at the Board of Control meeting in Reno. "Since then, I've heard nothing but, 'Eddie, keep your nose out of that piece.' "

In past years, home teams paid $500 and visiting teams $250 to the Hall of Fame to play a 10th football game. Hall of Fame games also are permitted in other sports, though not as popular.

This spring, the Clark County School District eliminated Hall of Fame games as a cost-cutting measure. CCSD executive athletic director Ray Mathis estimated the cost of a football game at $2,000, including payment for officials, game workers, security and school personnel, and visiting teams' travel expenses.

Washoe County soon followed suit, scrapping Hall of Fame games for Reno-area teams.

The fledgling United Football League, which will have a franchise in Las Vegas in its debut season this year, made a $25,000 donation to the CCSD last week to enable at least some schools to play a 10th game. That development made it easier for Bonine stick with the status quo.

"If outside sponsorship comes in, what's the big deal?" he said. "It's going to be a district-by-district decision."

Palo Verde coach Darwin Rost, head of the Southern Nevada Football Coaches Association, said the donation should allow 20-24 teams to play an extra game.