Preseason Coaches' Poll
1. Rigby
2. Highland
3. Thunder Ridge
4. Madison
5. Idaho Falls
Written by: Brandon Baney
Ever since Thunder Ridge High School opened its doors four years ago, the improvement in the Titans football program has been fun to watch. A winless season in Year 1, was followed by the first win in program history in Year 2. Then, last year (Year 3), Thunder Ridge qualified for the playoffs for the first time in school history. The Titans earned the final at-large bid into the Class 5A postseason, and their season ended with a first round loss to Eagle and a 5-5 overall record.
The fact that Thunder Ridge made the playoffs was impressive, as head coach Jeff Marshall was forced to completely retool his offense early in the season. Quarterback Tao Johnson suffered a season-ending injury, and running back Kaysen Isom shifted to quarterback. Isom still rushed for over 1,000 yards and 17 touchdowns and his production will be missed.
On the bright side, Johnson is back for his senior season, and is ready to show college recruiters he has the skills to play at the next level. He’ll be joined in the backfield by senior Jaden Sautter. Sautter started last year at tight end before switching to running back to replace Isom. Johnson and Sautter will be a tough 1-2 combo for opponents trying to defend Thunder Ridge’s spread offense.
Defensively, the star of the unit is senior defensive end Paul Fitzgerald. “We run a 4-man front,” head coach Jeff Marshall said. “Our d-line should be solid. Paul Fitzgerald has caught the interest of some local D1 Universities.”
Thunder Ridge will kick off its season at Class 4A Blackfoot. In week two, they’ll host defending 4A champ Skyline. Then, in a strange twist, the Titans will play its four league opponents in the middle of the season. They’ll travel to Idaho Falls, followed by a bye week. After the bye, they’ll host Rigby, followed by a second bye week. Following the second bye, they’ll host Highland and travel to Madison. By mid-October, their playoff fate could already be decided, as they finish the season with two non-conference opponents in Bonneville and Hillcrest.
Logically, the next step for the still-young Thunder Ridge program would be to deliver the program’s first playoff victory. Marshall thinks there’s a good chance that could happen. “This is our 4th year of existence, our seniors are the 1st freshmen class of the school,” he said. “We are stronger and faster than the previous years.”