Malad Dragon sports fans don’t have to wait any longer to watch their favorite hometown athletes.  In just days they will once again hit the field, join the starting line and take the court.  Every new season has a few changes and this 2024 fall season is no different.

The biggest change across all MHS Dragon sports that fans will see is Malad’s new sports classification.  In an attempt to keep Idaho’s high school sports classifications fair and competitive with the enrollment growth across the state, the Idaho High School Activities Association’s (IHSAA) board recently renamed the classifications as well as to reset the dividing lines between each class.

The new classifications now range from 1A to 6A, completely removing the 1A I and II divisions.  Malad enrolls nearly 300 students, placing it squarely in the new 3A classification.  The 3 A fifth districts will still include Aberdeen, Soda Springs and West Side as well as new additions of the Declo Hornets and the Wendel Trojans.  

Many of the Dragon’s teams have previously faced both the Hornets and the Trojans as they competed across the various districts.  However, now instead of it being a sneak peek at the post season competition, these games now will play a large role in their regular season standings. 

The Lady Dragon volleyball team was first to jump into their season, playing in the Peg Peterson tournament held at Highland High School in Pocatello.  The two day tournament featured a total of 28 of all classes.  The MHS volleyball team came out ahead winning matches against Filer and Weiser, splitting games with Firth and dropping their match with Snake River.  Looking ahead at their upcoming schedule, the Lady Dragons will travel to play Mountain Crest in Logan, Utah on Thursday, August 29.     

With the natural shuffle of a new year, many of the Lady Dragon volleyball players are settling into a few new changes.  The biggest change they are making on the court is the shift from a 5-1 offense that centers on one setter, to a 6-2 offense that will be run with two setters.  The change should allow for a greater variety of hitters that will be more unpredictable and tougher to defend. Despite the changes, the Lady Dragons with their athleticism, skill, and coaching are sure to settle into the groove in no time at all.

Wednesday, August 28 marks the beginning of the Lady Dragon soccer season with their first home game against the Firth Cougars.  They are picking up where they left off their last season with a matchup against the Cougars.  In a final unofficial tournament, Malad beat Firth in overtime, scoring 3 goals to their 2 in a game deciding kickoff.  The players, coaches, and fans are excited to see what their time and talent will bring this season.

Malad will play host to their opening cross country meet as they hold their annual Terry Jones Invitational run Thursday, August 29.  The women’s varsity will begin at 4 pm with the men’s varsity beginning at 4:30 pm.  The cross country coaching staff has seen a small shake up for the 2024 season.  After the passing of Coach Erin Hawkes and the temporary step down of Tylee Skinner, Shannon Davis, Shauna Nalder and Nicole Smith have joined head coach Tia Talbot.  

The Malad Dragon Football team has a new face leading the charge as Brady Price has stepped up as the head coach.  His official staff will include Joe Miller, Devin Morrison, Caleb Williams, Tayler Evans, Devin Robbins, Braxton Davis, and Cooper Jones.  The Head Coach Price hasn’t waited to get his team in shape for the season.  Throughout the summer, he and his staff have provided opportunities for weightlifting and conditioning to bring his players into the season ready to go.

The team will be celebrating 100 years of Dragon football this season.  Before the National Anthem is played at every home game, they plan to recognize all the players across the various decades that represented Malad football and played a part of the MHS football history.  Their season opening game will be played at home on Friday, August 30 against the Lyman Eagles.

Fall sports are finally back on the schedule for the Malad Dragons.  There might be a new look, new talent, and new faces but there is one thing that surely is as old as anything, and that is the Dragon pride and spirit that is sure to be at an all time high this season.