Sports - Oct. 14

McKenzie Sports Schedule This Week

The McKenzie Middle School Volleyball team hosts Siletz on Wednesday, October 13, with match time set for 4:30 pm. The Eagle's Middle School Football team follows on the same day, kicking off against Siletz at 5:00 pm.

The McKenzie Middle School teams travel to Avery Park in Corvallis on Thursday, October 14, to participate in the Northwest Middle School XC Showdown. The MS Girls 3,000 meter race starts at 3:30 pm and the MS Boys 3,000 m. event follows with a 4:00 start. A 3,000 m. MS Girls Champions (Top 10) race will start at 4:30 pm and a 3,000 m. MS Boys Champions (Top 10) race begins at 5:00 pm.

McKenzie High School will host Mapleton High School in a Homecoming Flag Football game, Friday, October 15, with kickoff slated for 7:00 pm. Eagle MS Volleyball hosts Eddyville, Monday, October 18, and first serve is scheduled for 4:00 pm.

Flag Your Calendar: Eagle Homecoming Returns

McKenzie High will host its first Football Homecoming Celebration and Game since the 2020 Holiday Farm Fire and the Covid virus combined to throw an interception in all that's normal and good. To be honest, the McKenzie High Athletic Department, along with all in our community that is McKenzie, took a nasty hit. The iconic football stadium and concession stand on Wade Thomas Field, both built by the long-departed McKenzie Booster Club in the early 70's, were destroyed by the Fire and subsequently cleaned up this past summer. The football scoreboard, also donated to McKenzie by the Booster Club, needs to be replaced. Still, standing tall and now easily visible from McKenzie Highway is the southern goal post. A hundred yards northwest, stands the yellow twin goal post (both structures were likewise built and donated by the McKenzie Booster Club and associated businesses/volunteers).

McKenzie High did not see enough athlete numbers turn out for Varsity football and volleyball practices this Fall, which forced the Eagles to cancel both Mt. West League schedules. Meantime, over on the Siuslaw River, Mapleton High School has experienced its own issues with athlete numbers. The Sailors, like the Eagles, had to cancel Varsity football. No Friday night-lights in Mapleton this Fall. But that's where this story takes a interesting and unique turn.

Together, the two Athletic Directors at McKenzie and Mapleton, Fred Heins and Carrie Dean, respectively, dusted off their pads, and devised a splendid game plan that ensures Homecoming Activities for both schools will go forward, albeit, not in the traditional sense. And that is where this story gets really cool!

McKenzie loaded up a co-ed team of students last Friday, October 8, traveled to Mapleton and engaged a Sailor co-ed team in a game of flag football. Under the lights and a Mapleton Homecoming. (Unfortunately, the game was called after 2 quarters due to a medical emergency to a fan).

This Friday, Mapleton returns the favor, travels to Finn Rock and Wade Thomas Field to play another game of Homecoming Flag Football. Complete with spectators (you all are welcome to freely attend) and a Homecoming Court and Coronation ceremony. Hats and helmets off to these two schools for getting this right, just when something right needs to happen for these schools and their communities.

Unfortunately, due to the looming virus concerns, the proposed Homecoming Dances will not happen, but the week long hoopla, games and class competitions will. And that's awesome! Memories are being made and stories will be shared years from now.

Here's a challenge McKenzie Folks. Let's fill those sidelines this Friday with spectators and cheers. For both teams! When is the last time you saw a flag football game? For me, I think it was back in 1971, when my Dorm team (we were called the Nads, proudly short for, well you might guess!) finished second in the All University Flag Football Championships held on the old Parker Stadium Field at Oregon State University.

Under the Lights! The game this Friday kicks off at 7:00 pm. You might want to show up a bit early, to beat the crowd and find a great spot to set up your lawn chairs.

Eagle Middle School Cross Country

McKenzie traveled its Middle School Boys and Girls Cross Country teams to Philomath last Saturday, October 9, to participate in the Paul Marimen Invitational Cross Country Meet. The event was held at Philomath High School. Eighth grade Eagle Will Meister finished 63rd and sixth grade teammate Avry Thoms crossed the finish line in 146th place in their 3,000 meter race. A total of 165 runners competed in the Boys race.

Eighth grade Eagle Myra Dion was the top Eagle girl finisher, 64th, in the Girls 3,000 meter race. Her sixth grade teammates, Claire Weiss, 101st, Zyla Drake, 118th, and Lillia Meister, 138th places, followed her. A total of 171 girls competed in the event. This Thursday the Eagle contingent travel to sunny Corvallis, to participate in the NW Middle School XC Showdown, held at Avery Park. The races will feature 42 Schools and Club teams from around the region, including Central Linn, Harrisburg, Lowell, Mohawk, Triangle Lake and McKenzie representing the Emerald Youth League.