McKenzie Sports Report – January 8

McKenzie Varsity Sports Schedule This Week

The McKenzie Varsity Basketball teams travel to Siletz Valley on Tuesday, January 6. The Eagle Boys are scheduled to play at 5:30 pm and the Girls game will start at 7:00 pm. The Eagle teams host Mohawk on Thursday, January 8, with the Varsity Boys game tipping off at 5:30 pm and the Varsity Girls at 7:00 pm. A Junior Varsity Boys game will precede at 4:00 pm.

McKenzie hosts Alsea on Friday, January 9. The Varsity Boys game starts at 5:30 pm and the Varsity Girls game starts at 7:00 pm. The Eagles travel to Alsea on Tuesday, January 13. At Alsea, the Varsity Boys game tips off at 5:30 pm and the Varsity Girls game will start at 7:00 pm.

McKenzie Senior Elijah Santiago Earns MWL and All State Honors

McKenzie Wide Receiver and Defensive Back Elijah Santiago wrapped up his senior football season in a dramatic fashion, earning significant recognition for his efforts on the gridiron. Santiago was recently selected to the Oregon School Activities Association Six-man Football Third Team All State for the position of Defensive Back. In addition, Santiago was voted Runner-up for the All State First Team Defensive Player of the Year, which went to Harper Charter Junior Richard Joyce. This recognition follows the Mt. West League selecting Santiago as a First Team Wide Receiver, First Team Defensive Back and the 2025 Mt. West League Defensive Player of the Year.

McKenzie also selected the Eagle senior as their team’s 2025 Most Valuable Player. Interestingly, Elijah Santiago has played just 2 seasons of High School football and only 1 season prior at the tiny mites level of Pop Warner.

This season at McKenzie, the versatile player, defensively in ten games, finished with 107 tackles, 2 interceptions, 2 forced fumbles, and 4 sacks. Offensively, Santiago had 22 catches for a total of 518 receiving yards, averaging 23.5 yards per catch and scoring 4 touchdowns. McKenzie Head Football Coach Angelo Santiago and father of Elijah states, “To watch him grind and work and see the growth within just a season was tremendous.” Coach Santiago adds, “He (Elijah) wants to try and play in college.”

On behalf of all Eagle fans and supporters, congratulations Elijah on your fine season and best of luck pursuing your gridiron goals.

Note: For a complete list of OSAA Fall Season All State selections go to osaa.org