Mackay High remembers highlights of biggest win in side’s history despite disappointing end to Cowboys Challenge

Mackay State High missed out on the Cowboys Challenge semi finals but the side has cemented its spot in the school’s legacy with a ground-breaking win.

It was a devastating way to end a football season but the Mackay State High players have confirmed their place in Cowboys Challenge history.

The junior squad defeated Kirwan, the perennial powerhouse of the competition, after the school holidays break.

The win was the first time Mackay SHS beat Kirwan in the Cowboys Challenge, and gave the side hope of reaching the semi finals.

Unfortunately, Mercy College’s win against Rockhampton Grammar in the final round knocked Mackay SHS out of contention.

Mackay’s five-eighth Ryan White said the win against Kirwan changed the squad’s mindset on what it could achieve that season.

“Proving everyone wrong was so sweet, we were the first Mackay High team to beat Kirwan in our age group, so it was a big achievement for us,” he said.

“It showed us we can really play against some of these great teams, now that game is now a part of our legacy in the program at the school forever.

“Our efforts will be remembered forever.”

Halfback Bailey Venz said the final moments of the match is something he would remember forever.

“That final play against Kirwan, knowing that we had won was so good,” he said.

“We were so excited, just screaming and cheering and hugging everyone.

“We get the opportunity to represent the school and play footy, getting beaten by big margins was not good but the break allowed us to reflect and change our attitudes.”

Mackay High suffered a big loss against rivals Mercy College in the opening round of the Cowboys Challenge, but structure of the side change after the school holiday break.

Centre William Veitch said the break gave the squad an opportunity to reset.

“We trained a lot harder and had a couple of position changes that worked,” he said.

“Knowing we had let everyone down also drove us to perform better.”

Fullback Jaffahl Skillington said the squad wanted to repay the efforts from their coach, Cutters prop Jack Brock.

“After that Mercy loss, it sucked to see our coach’s face,” he said.

“He was lost for words, he had so much faith in us to do the right thing but we let him down.

“In the end, the points for and against us let us down, but we repaid the faith he put in us.”