They say it isn’t the size of the dog in the fight, but rather the fight in the dog.  It might be cliche, but the Malad Dragon Youth 6th grade team recently proved just how true that statement is as they defeated the Aberdeen Tigers in the Southeast Idaho Youth Football League championship game.  Malad’s Head Coach and director, Haydon Montgomery shared, “Through the season, we were never the biggest team nor were we always the fastest team. In that championship game, we were neither. But, we were a team that believed in ourselves, that believed in each other and believed in the plan that the coaches had to succeed.”

The Malad Dragon Youth Team consisted of a mix of 5th and 6th graders. Their season began as they began practicing on August 7. In the Southeast Idaho Youth Football League 6th Grade Division, the go up against teams from Aberdeen, Bear Lake, Grace, Soda Springs, West Side and North Pocatello. In their 2023 season, the Dragons went undefeated with a 6-0 record. Coach Montgomery says, “This is a group of kids that love the game of football. You could always see it when they played.” 

The team clinched the #1 seed in the playoffs and began their post season games going up against the #4 seed, Bear Lake.  Malad beat Bear Lake 26-0 to advance to the championship game on October 28 at the ISU Holt Arena where they played Aberdeen for the title.  Aberdeen got up early 13-0.  Despite being down, the team never quit as they remembered how their coaches had taught them, “The most important play is the one that we are in right now.” 

To inspire their team, Coach Montgomery and his staff coined a word that the team says over and over to keep them motivated- NGUNNGU, which means Never Give Up, Never Never Give Up!  In their final game when they were behind, Coach Montgomery said, “We never gave up and kept fighting one play at a time. We battled back and won 24-19!  These kids went through the season not just wanting to be champions, but they were willing to also do what it takes to be champions. This win was a huge accomplishment!” 

This win marks the first time any football team from Oneida County has ever won the championship at any level.  While there have been other teams to have made it to a championship game, they have come up short.  With such a promising start, these boys are beginning a strong foundation for future Dragons football teams.

 Malad began their play in the Southeast Idaho Youth Football League around 2001. The coaches and staff said, “We want to thank all the boys and families for their support and sacrifices. Special thanks to all the fans at the game! Dragon Power! It has been a rewarding experience for all of us to coach this group of boys!”

Playing for the Dragon 6th Grade team was: 

#1 - Cache Maroney 

#2 - Devin Ball 

#3 - Lincoln Berry

#5 - Issac Bird 

#6 - Weston Bates 

#7 - Declan Summers 

#9 - Bentley Maddox 

#10- Dawson Jones 

#11 - Dakota Toone 

#12 - Logan Cottam 

#13 - Rustin Montgomery 

#14- Taggert Tubbs 

#15 - Zachary Briscoe 

#16 - Andy Beck 

#17 - Rhyze Anderson 

#18- Jaxson Kimberling 

#19- Tandon Redd 

#20 - Wylee Hawkes 

#21 - Dax Nimer 

#22 - Sawyer Beutler 

#23- Tyker Hamilton 

#24 - Jettsen Miller 

#25- Levi Hatch 

#28 - Kayman Nimer 

Head Coach & Director - Haydon Montgomery 

Assistant Coaches- 

Joe Miller, Bill Ball, Zach Beutler, Trevor Jones