Photo By Mike Turner - #74 Talin Togiai
Preseason Coaches' Poll (Subject to change)
1. Rigby
2. Highland
3. Thunder Ridge
4. Madison
5. Idaho Falls
Written by: Brandon Baney
Since Armando Gonzalez became Rigby’s head coach five years ago, there’s been a noticeable change in the program. Rigby has a certain swagger, confidence, toughness and attitude that has made it one of the most difficult opponents in the entire state. Rigby has gone 32-10 over the past four seasons, and their run of success includes a Class 5A state championship in 2019 and a runner-up finish in 2020.
That 2020 runner-up finish has fueled the Trojans the entire offseason, and Rigby is ready for what they have termed “revenge season.” Rocky Mountain defeated Rigby 17-14 in last year’s 5A title game, a game that saw Rigby commit multiple turnovers and still only lose by three points.
Needless to say, optimism is high at Rigby this year, especially because many of the starters from last year’s squad are back for their senior season. “We did lose a couple of impact players defensively,” coach Gonzalez said. “Linebacker Landon Johnson led the defense for three years as a starter, and Payton Van Steenkiste was a two-year starter, team captain, and one of the best cover guys to play for Rigby in recent years.”
Those losses will be tough to overcome, as Rigby’s 3-4 defense will see a shift in terms of strength. Rigby’s secondary really shined the past two seasons, but now the Trojans’ top unit is the defensive line. Talin Togiai is an imposing 6-6 and 290 lbs., and will man the nose tackle position. Damien Walker will flank him at defensive end. The linebacker position will feature returning starter Logan Fredericksen, who absolutely terrorized opponents off the edge last season, and Hunter Neild, who has overcome two major injuries early in his high school career.
The Rigby offense is in fine shape, as well. Senior Tiger Adolpho returns to quarterback the Trojans after earning the High Country Conference Player of the Year award a season ago. Senior Zheik Falevai is a returning starter at running back, while senior Taylor Freeman will play all over the field. A year ago, Freeman was a wide receiver, and filled in at quarterback when Adolpho was injured. Another offensive playmaker to keep an eye on is senior wide receiver Sam Kunz, who transferred to Rigby from Hillcrest.
The Trojans will begin the season by hosting Sky View High from Utah on August 27th and Post Falls on September 3rd. Rigby’s remaining non-conference schedule is against defending 4A state champion Skyline, along with Hillcrest and Blackfoot, each of whom qualified for the Class 4A playoffs a year ago.
The game everyone will have circled on the schedule is Rigby’s home game against Highland on October 15th. The winner of that game could win the conference title, and if Rigby wants to achieve that goal on their “revenge season” tour, coach Gonzalez says two X-factors need to be solidified: “We need good offensive line play, and we need to take care of the football.”