Years as Head Coach
8th Season

Previous Experience
29 years coaching experience overall

Assistant Coaches
Aaron Flowers, Logan Horrocks, Burke Mouser, Kenny Koster, Mike Freeman, Brock Sondrup, Carl Hooper, Nate Holloway, Victor Martinez, Shawn Bosh, Benny Kofe, Isaac Hawkins

Record Last Year
6-5

Conference Record Last Year
2-1

State Titles
2019, 2021, 2022

Returning Players
Feki Pouha, OL/DL, sr.
Parker Graham, ATH, sr.
Gauge Larsen, DE/LB, sr.
Jerzey Duenes, RB, sr.
Cannon Korth, DB, sr.
Ethan Hickman, LB, sr.

Returning Players with Honors
Feki Pouha, 12 - 1st Team All-State OL/1st Team All-Conference OL
Amani Morel, 11 - 1st Team All-State RB/1st Team All-Conference RB
Gauge Larsen, 12 - 1st Team All-Conference DL
Parker Graham, 12 - 1st Team All-Conference LB/2nd Team All-Conference WR
Jerzey Duenes, 12 - 2nd Team All-Conference RB
Cannon Korth, 11 - 2nd Team All-Conference LB
Dayton Boone, 12 - HM All-Conference OL
Ethan Hickman, 11 - HM All-Conference LB

Key Players lost from last year
Luke Flowers, QB. Amazing young man.
Brecken Searle, WR. Playmaker.
Reggie Groom, S. Enforcer, high football IQ.

Incoming impact players
Casen Sylvester, DL, sr.
Amani Morel, RB, jr.
Jake Flowers, QB, jr.
Kaysn Thomas, WR, sr.

Written by: Marlowe Hereford

Rigby begins its first season in the newly introduced 6A classification this fall with new faces and new motivation.
Ever since a quarterfinals loss at Eagle last November ended the Trojans' quest for a 5A state title three-peat, a fire has been lit within the returning players. That fire was apparent during the offseason.

"There was a lot left on the table last year from our underclassmen," head coach Armando Gonzalez said. "They were not satisfied with the result, so this offseason was completely different for us at Rigby. A lot of players showing a drive they have never shown before. This year will be special for us. They understood the standard was not met and have been on a mission to get us bck to performing consistently the way we expect."

Rigby graduated wide receiver Brecken Searle, safety Reggie Groom and Montana signee Luke Flowers (quarterback). Among the returning Trojans are running backs Duenas, Dallas Waldron and Skyline transfer Amani Morel. Gonzalez described this year's offensive line as the best he's had at Rigby, and said learning to play in sync will be a priority this season.

Defensively, Gonzalez said he looks forward to who will become the playmakers.

Overall, he is eager to see how his athletes take on new roles this fall.

"Every year, the new faces bring a new identity to the Rigby legacy," Gonzalez said. "I am very excited to see what that becomes."

The 5A state title stayed in District 5-6 last year as Highland won the championship in head coach Nick Sorrell's second season, finishing 11-1 overall and a perfect 3-0 in conference play. Gonzalez tabbed Thunder Ridge, which went 1-8 overall last year, as a team to keep an eye on this fall.

"Thunder Ridge had a lot of underclassmen contribute last season," Gonzalez said. "They should be fun to watch grow this next year."

Rigby begins the season Aug. 23 at Coeur d'Alene, last season's 5A state runner-up.