Deep roots in soccer program lead to success for Francis Howell Central star
COTTLEVILLE, Mo. (BVM) – Mackenzie Jones has always had a passion for soccer, a sport she has been playing since age 6. But growing up and being able to serve as a team manager for the Francis Howell Central (FHC) High School girls soccer team along with her brother, Zach, Mackenzie found an even greater love for the sport that has turned her into a star.
When she was in fourth grade, Mackenzie and her family moved out west to Seattle when her dad took a job there. However, just a year and a half later, they would move back to the Midwest, but endure a tough living situation. Mackenzie’s mother had to take care of her and her three brothers, all while often living in friends’ houses or hotels.
But the sport of soccer would help the family get past their difficult situation. Shortly after coming back from Washington, the Jones family, and specifically Zach, developed a relationship with Eddie Mulholland, who is now the head soccer coach at FHC.
Mulholland taught Zach, who has down syndrome, in one of his classes, and invited him to become a team manager for the girls soccer team at FHC. With Mackenzie going to middle school just down the street, the coach invited her to help out as well.
Through these years, Mulholland formed a special bond with Zach, Mackenzie, and the rest of the Jones family.
“What I’ve learned most from the Jones family is how important it is to have family in your life,” Mulholland said. “Zach is an amazing individual who thrives off of repetition and routines, while Mackenzie is a stand up student, great friend, and has grown over the years as a leader. All the Jones kids are special people that have left an instant impact on FHC.”
Of course, Zach and Mackenzie have developed a special relationship with Mulholland as well – or as they call him, coach Moe – and are very grateful for the opportunity he gave them.
“Over the years, coach Moe has meant more to Zach and I than he could ever imagine. He has always pushed me to be the best I can be and is also one of my biggest supporters. For Zach, coach Moe is forever a mentor and friend. Every time Zach sees him he gets a big smile on his face and gives him a big high-five,” Mackenzie said.
As someone who is all about routine, the team manager job was a good experience for Zach.
“Zach is about as steady as they come. He definitely loves structure and he is one of the most hard-working, goofiest, loving people I know. He inspires me to appreciate the little things in life, because everyday things bring so much excitement and happiness to his life,” Mackenzie said.
Not only was it a good position for Zach, but the siblings also had the chance to work together every day and strengthen their bond through a sport they love.
“It was such a great experience. I had a great time and I think Zach did too,” Mackenzie added. “I was excited to help out because Zach basically had to hang out with me everyday.”
Additionally, the team manager job was a great opportunity for Mackenzie soccer-wise, as she got to see firsthand what the sport is like at the high school level.
“Being around all of those amazing soccer players in middle school really helped me envision what kind of player I have always wanted to be. All of the players definitely showed me what I wanted to be on the field, but also showed me who I wanted to be off of it,” the 18-year-old said.
The time spent with the high school team during her youth certainly helped Mackenzie’s own prep soccer career take off. As a varsity starter since freshman year, she earned numerous postseason honors, including second team all-conference as a sophomore, and being named first team all-conference, and honorable mention all-state as a junior.
She has also helped lead the Spartans girls soccer program to some great success throughout her prep career. During Mackenzie’s freshman year, the team won conference, sectional, and district championships. Last season, the Spartans rolled through the playoffs with a run to state that ended up in a fourth-place finish.
Unfortunately, Mackenzie and the rest of the team found out in April they would not get the chance for a repeat trip to state this spring due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It was especially tough to hear for the FHC grad.
“It was pretty heartbreaking news. In the back of my mind I knew I probably wasn’t going to have a senior season, but I still had a little bit of hope, so when I heard the season was officially canceled I was pretty crushed,” Mackenzie said.
It’s a tough way to finish off what has been a tremendous athletic career at FHC. Mackenzie is a multi-sport athlete, who also competes in tennis in the fall and basketball in the winter. Although soccer is her main sport, the 18-year-old certainly has plenty of talent elsewhere. She has been a varsity player in tennis each of her four years at FHC, making it to state in doubles both her sophomore and junior seasons.
On the hardwood, she started on the junior varsity team as a freshman. After actually deciding to join varsity swimming during her sophomore year, Mackenzie returned to the court for her junior and senior seasons on the varsity basketball squad. This past season, she was part of the team that set a school record with an undefeated 16-0 start.
For Mackenzie, it has been special to be able to play and excel at multiple sports in a day and age where not as many athletes choose to. It has also helped her to see the team aspect of sports from different viewpoints, as she was typically a bench player in basketball compared to a starter in soccer.
“Playing multiple sports is extremely important to me as it shows me sports from all different angles. In soccer, I have always been a starter, so when I got into basketball I got to see the other side. But playing multiple sports is one of the best, most enlightening decisions I have ever made,” Mackenzie said.
The athletic success Mackenzie has enjoyed at FHC has earned her 11 varsity letters over her four years at the school. In eighth grade, the 18-year-old decided she wanted to be up on the Spartan Elite board someday, a board at the school honoring athletes who have lettered eight times. Just a few years later, she has more than accomplished that goal.
“I feel extremely blessed to have received 11 varsity letters,” Mackenzie said. “I had a goal to get eight varsity letters; never did I imagine that I would reach 11, though.”
The multi-sport athlete has left quite a legacy at the school, noted by coach Mulholland.
“She’s left a lasting impact,” the coach said. “She’s been an amazing person for our school and is everything we ask in our athletes. We are very proud of her.”
Of course, Mackenzie realizes her successes would not be possible without the help of her coaches and teammates throughout all her sports, who she is very grateful for. She has also met some of her best friends in soccer and basketball, and loved how close her tennis team became even though it is an individual sport.
Mackenzie built deep roots with FHC ever since her family moved back from Seattle. The entire school, including her coaches, teammates, and teachers have meant everything to her and the legacy she has been able to leave as a Spartan.
“Francis Howell Central has been my life for a long time now. It has meant more to me than just sports. Not only have my coaches been amazing, but so have my teachers. The whole school is one large, close-knit family that I have been embraced by since the beginning. I hope that I have shown what a good leader looks like, along with a good follower and that no matter how good someone is at a sport, or a class, that everyone should be treated with the same amount of kindness and acceptance,” she said.
The 18-year-old will look to create a new legacy in college at Grand Valley State University in the fall, where she will continue on with her soccer career. The Lakers women’s soccer program has lost just two games the last two years, and are coming off a national championship season in 2019. For Mackenzie, it was hard to imagine playing anywhere else.
“In general, the school is amazing, the campus is beautiful, and the size is great. And for the athletics side, it’s perfect. Coach Jeff Hossler is amazing and truly cares about his players more than winning,” Mackenzie added.
The soccer star hopes to win four more national championships for the Lakers during her time there. In the classroom, she will study business, looking to major in either finance or marketing.
Mackenzie is a truly incredible athlete who comes from a great family that has left a positive impact at FHC. The 18-year-old has had an outstanding soccer career to this point, and it will only get better over the next four years at Grand Valley State.
