Written by: Brandon Baney
When asked about team strengths this year, third year Ririe coach Josh Huntsman was succinct: “We are returning nine offensive starters.”
When asked to expound upon that thought, Huntsman added: “We are returning nine starters on defense as well.”
Needless to say, there’s lots of familiarity back for a team that went 3-4 and missed the postseason by an eyelash. A 12-8 loss to Malad in September and a 36-30 setback in double overtime to Firth were two losses that easily could have gone the other way. Ririe was a handful of plays away from a 5-3 mark and a second place finish in the Nuclear Conference.
The thinking goes that with so many returning starters back in 2024, the Bulldogs are ready to take a bite out of the competition and qualify for the playoffs for the first time since 2019.
Coach Huntsman loves to run the ball out of a tight formation that features multiple backs. Senior Rafe Newton and junior Kolter Lewis both return at running back, while junior Ian Johnson (an All-Conference tight end last year) will transition to fullback. Junior Kody Landon (also an All-Conference tight end in 2023) will stay put, and will be joined by three returning offensive linemen: seniors Ryker Harris and Brady Barber, and junior Cooper Huntsman.
Junior Breylon Moon will direct the offense at quarterback.
On defense, Barber is joined by senior Brayden Kunz and junior Gabe Montero on the defensive line. Johnson, Lewis, Moon and senior Treagan Harris return at linebacker. Newton and junior Cooper Brown are back in the secondary.
With so many returning starters back, auditions for open positions will be difficult. But coach Huntsman singled out linebacker Wyatt Taylor and cornerback Garrett Van Noy as newcomers to keep an eye on.
All in all, Ririe is oozing with potential. If a young group of Bulldogs can turn the corner, they’ll be right in the mix for the postseason.
“We started seven sophomores last season,” Huntsman says. “Their experience will be key to what we do this season.”