The Kellogg School District Board of Trustees has unanimously approved the reinstatement of a Kellogg Middle School (KMS) football program for 7th and 8th-grade students, effective for the 2025-2026 school year! This exciting development, approved at the board meeting on April 8th, promises to bring a new level of competitive opportunity and skill development to our young athletes.
For the past several seasons, our middle school-aged players have participated in the Coeur d’Alene Junior Tackle Program, competing against teams from much larger schools in the Coeur d’Alene, Post Falls, Rathdrum, Spirit Lake, and Sandpoint areas. While we appreciate the efforts of the Junior Tackle program, the reality is that our smaller Kellogg teams, often fielding only 15-20 players per grade level, have faced a significant competitive disadvantage against opposing teams boasting around 40 players. This has unfortunately resulted in winless seasons at both the 7th and 8th-grade levels for the past three-plus years.
Recognizing the need for a more equitable and developmentally focused environment, the district began exploring the possibility of bringing middle school football under the school’s umbrella. Research revealed that nearly every other member of the Central Idaho League (CIL), including St. Maries, Priest River, Orofino, and Grangeville, sponsors their own middle school football programs, allowing them to compete against schools of similar size. Even Sandpoint, along with smaller 8-man schools like Wallace and Clark Fork, offer middle school football opportunities.
The primary goal of reinstating KMS Football is to provide our student-athletes with a more competitive platform where they have a legitimate chance to experience success against schools of similar size and demographics. This shift will also allow the school district to have direct oversight of the program, ensuring better coaching, consistent expectations regarding technique and fundamental skill development, and control over scheduling.
The plan involves fielding one combined 7th and 8th-grade team, which is projected to have a roster of 40 to 45 students. This combined team will create a more robust and competitive unit.
Excitingly, scheduling opportunities are already taking shape! St. Maries and Priest River have proactively offered home-and-away games, guaranteeing at least four contests. With interest also expressed by Orofino and Grangeville, a six-game schedule is readily achievable, with the potential for up to eight games if desired. Sandpoint has also indicated interest in playing both our combined team and their individual 7th and 8th-grade teams.
Thanks to the proactive efforts of Kellogg High School Head Football Coach Tim Kimberling, the program has already secured 28 matching home and away uniforms. Furthermore, Kyle Mann, President of the Kellogg Youth Football (formerly Storm) organization, has generously offered the immediate use of helmets and pads that were previously allocated to the 7th and 8th-grade youth teams. This means the program is well-equipped to hit the ground running.
The district will be moving forward with the hiring process for a head coach and one assistant coach for the KMS Football program. Mr. Mann has already presented this plan to parents within the youth football program, and there has been an overwhelming positive response, including significant interest in the coaching positions. The district anticipates a strong pool of qualified applicants.
The groundwork for this exciting initiative began last fall when concerns arose regarding the competitive imbalance our middle schoolers faced. Initial discussions with then-Storm Football President Corey Reed sparked the idea of transitioning middle school football to the school. Subsequent conversations with Athletic Directors Dakota Wickard of St. Maries and Crosby Tajan of Sandpoint provided valuable insights into the structure and benefits of school-sponsored middle school football programs, particularly emphasizing the importance of qualified coaching and skill development.
Superintendent Lance Pearson has expressed his strong support for this move, recognizing the positive impact it will have on our students by providing enhanced opportunities, greater oversight, and a more level playing field compared to the current out-of-district program. Collaboration with current Kellogg Youth Football President Kyle Mann has been instrumental in bringing this vision to fruition, with his board and parents enthusiastically endorsing the plan.
This reinstatement of middle school football marks an exciting new chapter for our young athletes at Kellogg Middle School. It underscores the district's commitment to providing comprehensive athletic opportunities that foster skill development, teamwork, and a positive competitive spirit. We look forward to cheering on our KMS Wildcats on the gridiron!