Elyria Christian School will field a high school football team for the first time since the school opened in 1982 and will compete at the 6-Man level.
When the school’s summer football camp opened on July 13, this message was posted on the school’s Facebook site:
“Every program has a first chapter. Tonight, our inaugural ECS 6-Man football team began writing theirs. Camp is officially underway, and these athletes and coaches are ready to learn, work hard, compete and lay the foundation for the future of Eagle football. The journey starts now.”
Elyria is a small, unincorporated community. about five miles south of McPherson. Elyria Christian is a private Christian with a high school enrollment of under 50 students.
“When this opportunity arose, and we had the opportunity to find a district, find an opportunity to have interest in this type of activity, we knew that this would be something we should pursue, and we did pursue it with good thought process,” head coach Zach Goodrich told KAKE-TV’s Matt Henderson.
According to Henderson’s KAKE.com article, Goodrich is the principal, lead administrator, helps with maintenance and even drives the buses. He also coaches the boys basketball team, which took third at the Kansas Class 1A Division II state tournament two years ago.
Also important was getting the team ready to suit up. Helmets, jerseys, equipment and goal posts had to be purchased.
The Eagles will officially begin their football journey Sept. 4 and Sept. 11 with road trips to Peabody-Burns and Chetopa, before a rematch against Peabody-Burns Thursday, Sept. 17, at 7 p.m.
“We are excited to launch our first-ever 6-Man football program,” read a statement on the school’s activities website.”This new opportunity expands our athletic offerings while providing student-athletes with a competitive, fast-paced, and exciting football experience.
“As we begin this new chapter, we look forward to building a program that reflects our school’s commitment to faith, character, teamwork, and excellence. Join us as we make history in the inaugural season of ECS 6-Man football.”
In addition to playing 6-Man football, Elyria Christian High School also will field boys and girls cross country teams and volleyball this fall.
Elyria Christian Junior High School offers volleyball during the fall.
The Elyria Christian High School football team will play its home games on its campus at the school’s athletic field located at 1644 Comanche Road in McPherson.
The football program will take over the site previously used by the soccer program, which was disbanded in 2022.
Elyria Christian 2026 football schedule
Sept. 4 at Peabody-Burns
Sept. 11 at Chetopa
Sept. 17 vs. Peabody-Burns
Sept. 25 vs. Moscow
Oct. 1 vs. Southern Coffey County
Oct. 9 at Altoona-Midway
Oct. 16 Marais des Cygnes Volley (senior night)
Oct. 22 at Lost Springs-Centre
Oct. 29 Six-Man Bracket Play
Nov. 6 Six-Man Regionals
Nov. 13 Six-Man Sectionals
Nov. 20 Six-Man Sub-State
Nov. 27-28 Six-Man State Championship at Greenbeurg
