Prep football preview: Rigby set to make another title run

EDITOR’S NOTE: This is nan 2nd communicative successful a bid featuring cardinal storylines for nan upcoming precocious schoolhouse shot season.

RIGBY — The demise of nan Rigby High School shot programme whitethorn person been greatly exaggerated.

So, demise whitethorn beryllium excessively beardown of a word, but erstwhile nan premier 5A programme successful nan authorities gets eliminated successful nan authorities quarterfinals, location are bound to beryllium immoderate questions.

Coach Armando Gonzalez, now successful his eighth season, wouldn’t picture past season’s playoff nonaccomplishment arsenic disappointing but did opportunity it provided an opportunity to re-establish nan program’s priorities.

“There’s a definite modular really we play,” Gonzalez said. “You triumph immoderate and suffer some, but if you don’t play good and don’t springiness yourself a chance, that’s what’s disappointing.”

The team’s priorities?

First, hit rival Madison. Second, triumph nan conference. Third, triumph successful nan playoffs.

“We consciousness if we do those things we power our destiny and we put ourselves successful a bully position to play for a authorities championship,” Gonzalez said.

The Trojans had been to nan 5A title crippled 4 consecutive years and won 3 titles anterior to past season. They typically unfastened nan play pinch a reliable non-conference schedule and that will beryllium nan lawsuit again this play arsenic they play astatine Coeur d’Alene, return connected Wasatch (Utah) successful nan Rocky Mountain Rumble successful Pocatello, play Moses Lake (Washington) astatine nan Northwest Showdown, and past return connected 4A champ Bishop Kelly successful their first location crippled connected Sept. 13. As if that’s not enough, nan Trojans play astatine 4A runner-up Hillcrest connected Oct. 18.

Gonzalez noted nan sadistic schedule prepares nan squad for convention play and yet a precocious play playoff push.

Rigby plays astatine convention rival and 5A authorities champion Highland connected Oct. 4 and hosts rival Madison nan pursuing week.

Rigby returns All-State lineman Feki Pouha, and protect stalwarts Gauge Larsen and Parker Graham. Junior Jake Flowers steps into nan starting backmost spot and Skyline High School transportation Amani Morel adds to nan team’s moving game.

“This is 1 of nan astir talented teams we’ve had,” Gonzalez said. “I don’t deliberation we’re finished. … As a squad we, move on. I don’t attraction really galore authorities championships we have, we’re connected nan prowl.”