Written by: Will Hoenike
The Richfield Tigers will play an independent, hybrid varsity/junior varsity schedule in 2023 as the program continues to build toward a full return to the 1A Division 2 Sawtooth Conference.
“There seems to be more of a buzz around our football program this year and I am hopeful to have 15-plus players this year,” said veteran head coach Buck Hendren. “If the players come out that I expect, we should be a lot more competitive than we have been the last few years.”
The hybrid-ness of the schedule, if that is a real word, points toward the positive momentum of the program. Of the seven games on the schedule, five are listed as full varsity games with just two listed as junior varsity contests. The last time Richfield played a full season with fewer JV games was 2017, when the Tigers were a member of the Sawtooth in District 4, playing seven varsity games.
Hendren and his staff have veteran leaders at each level on the field. Senior Jett Alanis plays along the offensive and defensive lines, junior Jackson Truman will line up at running back and linebacker, and junior Jace Fuchs will play quarterback and defensive back. The trio are all multi-sport athletes and the school has had athletic success (the boys basketball team reached the 1A Division 2 state championship game in March) so there is a reason for optimism.
The game plan will be to run the ball effectively on offense and tackle well on defense. It seems simple but, if the Tigers are able to do it, good things can happen. Turnout will be the key for Richfield this season. It’s a program that has fought hard to stay on the field despite struggles with turnout and Hendren believes the group of kids in the red and white this fall has a chance to compete if it can stay healthy.
The Tigers will play five of their seven games on the road this fall. Its first home game is a varsity contest against Clark County on September 15 and its second home game is against the Murtaugh junior varsity on October 12.