Varsity Extra: High School Sports

Football participation down at Meridian, Eagle

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BY TOM FOX - tfox@idahostatesman.com

Published: 09/05/08


When Meridian opens its football season Friday night at Rocky Mountain High, familiar faces will be everywhere.

The same will be true when Rocky Mountain ends its regular season against Eagle on Oct. 24.

Rocky Mountain is the fifth and newest high school in the Meridian School District, and its 1,400 students came predominately from Eagle and Meridian high schools.

Rocky Mountain is located 3 miles north of Meridian High on Linder Road near McMillan. It is 3 miles southwest of Eagle High.

The participation numbers in fall sports at Eagle and Meridian are down this year.

Meridian's enrollment dropped from 2,300 last year to 1,750 this year. There are approximately 67 fewer athletes out for the five fall sports than last year, Meridian athletic director Jeremy Bergquist said.

"They either graduated or went to Rocky," he said.

Meridian had 161 football players on its three teams in 2007 - that number is 122 this season. Meridian, the original school in the area, has been the feeder to the other four district schools.

The loss of football players at Eagle has been noticeable, but not overwhelming, Mustangs coach Paul Peterson said.

The freshman turnout has dropped from around 75 to 45, while the overall turnout for three teams has decreased from 210 players to 170.

"It hasn't decimated our program, but I know I have gear sitting in the equipment room that I didn't have last year," Peterson said. "The numbers are down a little bit, but from a quality standpoint there were a few game-changing athletes that went over there."

In other fall sports, Eagle has maintained about the same numbers it had last year. Athletic director Terry Dean attributed that to creating opportunities for more students to turn out.

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