SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. – The high school football season is kicking off with bang as University of Nevada, Reno’s (UNR) Mackay Stadium plays host to four high school games this Saturday, August 22. Among the eight schools chosen, the community’s very own South Tahoe High School (STHS) leads the charge, competing in the first varsity game of the day against Earl Wooster High School.
“This is a great opportunity for our school, our kids, our student athletes and our community to be represented on a stage like the University of Nevada, Reno,” said Kevin Hennessee, STHS athletic director. “If you think of all the high school teams in the state of Nevada, the fact that we’re one of the teams that got chosen, I think that says a lot.”
STHS’s varsity football team will not be traveling alone to Mackay Stadium as both the STHS cheer and dance teams will also be attending and performing at the Division I venue.
“This just brings an entirely different energy to the week,” said head coach Adam Fountain. “I think this is a great opportunity for us to play a 4A school in Wooster because they’re a level up from us. They play an entirely different set of competition from the greater Reno area. It’s a great measuring stick for both programs.”
STHS plays Wooster in game one starting at 10 a.m.. Game two will start at 1 p.m. between McQueen and Henderson’s Pinecrest Academy Sloan Canyon. At 4 p.m., North Valleys will play against Lowry followed by the final game at 7 p.m. as Spanish Springs takes on Carson.
As Fountain enters his fourth season as head coach at STHS, he notes that the team’s chemistry is special.
“We had to persevere through a tough game the other night, and it really shined through in the second half, just the way these guys are able to overcome adversity,” said Fountain. “Together as a group, the sky’s the limit.”
Conner Hennessee is the team’s running back and outside linebacker. Hennessee has been playing football since his freshman year. Heading into his senior year, he says he’s ready to raise the bar this weekend.
“I’ll be bringing it my all, first and foremost,” said Hennessee. “I look to be one of the people that my boys can rely on out there on the field, and I’m hoping that through being a leader, I can get everyone else to believe in everything they have on that field so we can ensure a win.”
Community members are encouraged to head to Mackay Stadium to support STHS as they compete in the quadruple-header on Saturday, August 22 at 10 a.m.
“This is a really cool weekend, and we’d love for the community to be a part of it,” Fountain said. “This is a community sport. We put in a lot of time and care for the sport in general, and the community takes it to that next level. This could be a really good opportunity to kickstart that.”
Tickets are $14 for adults and $8 for students and can be purchased by visiting https://events.hometownticketing.com/boxoffice/washoeschools/L2VtYmVkL2V2ZW50LzI4Nzc=
Some important things to know before you go:
- Parking: North Parking Lot and West Stadium Garage
- Spectator Entrance: Jensen Plaza (Gate 5) West Side ADA – 5th floor of West Stadium Garage, North Bridge
- Seating: Home – West Side, Away – East Side, North and South Seating Areas are Closed to Spectators, SOUTH CONCOURSE CLOSED TO SPECTATORS
- Concessions: Jensen Plaza, Lower North Concessions Stand
- Clear Bag Policy: Checked at Entrance
- Ticket Sales: Opens 1 hr. Prior to Kickoff for each game, Closes after Halftime of each game!
- Ticket Sales Location: Jensen Plaza Ticket Booth at Entrance
- Restrooms: North Endzone, Jensen Plaza
For more information on Mackay Stadium policies, check out the Mackay Stadium Gameday Guide.
Mackay Stadium is located at 1664 N Virginia Street in Reno, Nev.
The 2026-2027 school year for STHS in Lake Tahoe Unified School District begins on August 24. The team’s next home game will be held on August 28 at 7 p.m.
