The point of any game may be to win, but the purpose of an athletic program is to help players to learn, grow, and excel.  Any coach will tell you that they sign up because they love the sport, but even more so because they love the kids.  That combination will always bring the best out of a team, something the Malad Middle School Knights football team clearly demonstrated this season.

They may be biased, but the coaches, parents, players and fans couldn’t stop talking about what a great season the MMS football team just finished up.  By no means was it a perfect season, but in aspect of the game, they found success as they individually and as a team.

In their 2023 season, the 8th grade went 2-5, a somewhat disappointing record for a team with higher sites.  Fast forward to the 2024 season, and they once again went 2-5, that is only two losses and five wins!  That record was good enough for a 2nd place finish in the district.  The improvement was hard fought and can only be attributed to players and coaches that wouldn’t quit this season.

If there was anything that could top that impressive progress, it was the near perfect record of the 7th grade team, finishing the season 6-1 win-loss record and winning 1st place in the district.

Leading the program for the second year was Head Coach Coby Ball.  Coach Ball spoke of their season, saying, “ They were a fun group to coach, and we are very proud of them.  The boys worked hard, and were willing to be flexible in their positions.  It was a great defensive year for both teams. The 8th grade gave up just over 8 points a game, and the 7th graders gave up just over 5 points a game.  Both teams had big wins sweeping Westside and Declo.”

The MMS football team included Weston Bates, Lincoln Berry, Sawyer Beutler, Zachary Briscoe, Jace Call, Haynks Carter, Treysen Clemons, Liam Donnan, Waylon Ferree, Beck Green, Tyker Hamilton, Hyrum Hanks, Wylee Hawkes, Dawson Jones, Ledger Jones, Jason Kimberling, Jett Miller, Bastian Miller, Riggin Montgomery, Rawzen Munns, Jace Nalder, Dax Nimer, Trustin Palmer, Kallen Price, Tandon Redd, Bronson Smith, Wheeler Smith, Mack Snow, Grayson Thomas, Tyce Thomas, Riot Titus, Taggart Tubbs, Hank Ward, and Kendon Ward and was managed by Gage Steed.

The boys were coached by Coach Coby Ball, assisted by Trevor Jones, Laren Nalder, Brian Thomas, and Matt Donnan.

Speaking of the program, Middle School Principal and Athletic Director Bob Hannah shared, “These teams have a truly great season with kids excelling on the field as well as academically and behaviorally to be eligible to play every week.  That says a lot about the kids, but also about the coaching staff.  Coach Ball and his staff had great focus and support to help them excel in so many ways this season.”