Kegan Birck Takes Over at Canton; Looks to Keep Winning Ways
Canton, MO — The Canton Tigers have a new Skipper. His name is Kegan Birck. Birck, a 2021 graduate of Canton and the brother of the late Carson Birck, will look to keep the program’s winning ways. “I’m just trying to keep the winning culture here. We’ve had a few down years; we haven’t produced exactly what we wanted. And I’m just trying to come back here and kind of put into this program what I want to sell on it. And honestly, just trying to get these guys motivated to go out there and have fun and just play the ball like they know how to.”
Kegan’s late older brother, Carson, was originally set to take over the Tigers in 2025. Tragically, Carson passed away in September of 2024. Coach Andy Anderson returned in 2025 and led the Tigers to a 13-5 season. However, the Tigers suffered a tough loss to Schuyler County in the opening round of Districts. As Kegan discusses what it means to follow his brother’s dream. “I mean, it’s everything to me. Obviously, we got the scoreboard out there, named after him, and all his memorials. So I mean, yeah, it was definitely supposed to be him. But I’m gonna go out there and do everything I can to make him proud. But it’s definitely something that I’ve really enjoyed. And Coach A was close to Carson, too, and he’s here with me. So I know that if Carson were here, he’d be here with Coach or with Carson, too. But I’m excited to just be here and try to make him proud, and I’m gonna do the best I can to do that.”
The Tigers return quite a few seniors, while also featuring some young talent looking to stand out. “I mean, yeah, it’s always good when you have a mix of older guys and younger guys. Older guys who are leaders, they’ve been around. They know the Canton culture; they know what it means to win. So it’s awesome to have those guys. But it’s also good to have those young kids that are coming up and developing. And you’re able to have the seniors teach them what they know and move on with that. So yeah, we got a healthy group. We got, I think, six seniors, and they’re all gonna be playing. So it’s gonna be fun. But also, next year, a lot of these younger kids are gonna have to grow and step up. So it’s gonna be fun to watch.”
The Tigers get their season started on Monday, March 23rd, on the road against North Shelby, before opening their home slate against Scotland County on Tuesday, as coach Birck talks about what’s got him excited for the upcoming season. “I mean, this beautiful weather for one, it’s 80 degrees in March. So that gets me excited. But three weeks of practice, it seems like a long time, but it’s short. But these kids are eager to get back on the field, and I am too. I’m just getting through that first game; the jitters are there. You’re just trying to get everybody settled down and get into the season. So it’ll be nice just to have that first game and get it over with and move on to our district to go to against Scotland.”
