McKenzie High Sports Report

McKenzie Athletic Director Fred Heins announced the cancellation of the Eagle’s Varsity Volleyball season this week and the probability that Varsity Football will also not occur. Lack of student/athletes showing up for opening practices and no coaches applying for the Varsity and Middle School Volleyball Coaching positions were the primary reasons for the cancellation of the Volleyball season. Thus far, just four students have turned out for volleyball and Heins stated a minimum of eight would be required to participate in the Mountain West League. The Eagle Athletic Director is also the school’s Varsity Football Head Coach and just four students have started fall practices. McKenzie participates in six-man football, but again, Heins is looking for eight athletes, minimum, to qualify for Special District 3 play. Fall Middle School athletics are not faring any better with but three athletes showing up for football and volleyball respectively. The one bright spot may be Cross Country, where Head Coach Corey Culp welcomes eight students who represent a mix of high school and middle school participants. Heins stated he is holding hope for more football athletes coming out when students return to school opening, but that looks to be a long shot. McKenzie High School will start with students and teachers in the building this fall. But the small Class 1A school is still reeling from the double-whammy of the 2020 Holiday Farm Fire and the Covid pandemic. Recovery is happening all over the McKenzie corridor and likewise at the school, including plans to rebuild the school’s iconic football grandstand, concession stand, and scoreboard and replace the scoreboards in both high school gymnasiums. McKenzie High School has always prided its community with its facilities, including its athletic venues. The fields and courts are ready for competition. Now the Eagles need to find the athletes to compete.