Nenaber hoping to ‘create future generations of MHS football players’

MHS head football coach Cory Nenaber told the MUSD governing board Wednesday that he and his staff are working hard to encourage younger athletes to come to MHS.

“We are developing a philosophy to try to encourage younger athletes to come to Maricopa High School, to make them feel part of the Ram family and community,” said Nenaber.

The high school coaching staff has reached out the Maricopa Youth Football League, and the league is now using MHS facilities. The two district middle schools, Desert Wind and Maricopa Wells, played each other under the lights at the high school field.

Middle School Night was part of the Rams’ third home game. The middle school athletes were on the field and in the locker room.

“We want all of these young athletes to feel they are part of the future of the high school,” Nenaber said.

The high school coaches have also been meeting with middle school coaches of seventh and eighth graders. They are discussing coaching philosophies, discipline, practice schedules and conduct on campus and in the community. “We try to keep that really similar,” Nenaber explained.

A coaching clinic is in the planning stages, and there will be two youth football camps this spring, one for elementary students and one for middle school students. Both will be open to anyone in the community.

Lines of communication have been opened, and teams are sharing some equipment, according to Nenaber.

“The biggest thing is that we’re creating a relationship with both middle schools and Maricopa Youth Football.”

“We’re here, we’re not going anywhere, and we know what we’re doing,” Nenaber said. “We’ll play hard, and we’ll represent the people in the community.”

Photo by Joyce Hollis