Previous Experience
Hillcrest Assistant Coach
Shelley Assistant Coach

Assistant Coaches
Dan Bennion, Brady Gardner, Troy Dougherty, Brad Parkinson, Rick Dixon, Kevin McClusky, Kyle Hansen, Dan Mecham, Dwight Richins, Ted Parkinson, Ty Grey

Record Last Year
10-1

State Titles
2018, 2019, 2020

Returning Players
Cooper Butikofer, WR, 12
Cooper Porter, LB, 12
Jonah Schulthies, DB, 12 (1st Team All-MRC)
Kaden Summers, DE, 11 (2nd Team All-MRC)
Wyatt Harris, RB, 12
Ryan Harris, RB/LB, 12 (3A All-State, 1st Team All-MRC)
Ryken Clay, OL, 12 (2nd Team All-MRC)
Jerek Rammell, OL/DL, 12 (1st Team All-MRC)
Cort Summers, DL, 11
Garisen Madsen, OL, 12
Boyd Sorenson, OL/DL, 12 (3A All-State, 1st Team All-MRC)

Key Players lost from last year
Brigham Lee, TE/LB - Physical run blocker with good hands and major presence on defense
Logan Cutler, RB/LB - Physical run stopper in the middle
Crew Clark, WR/DB/K - When we needed a big play we knew we could count on him. Signed with Weber State
Teagon Brower, OL - Experience and leadership on the offensive line

Incoming impact players
Trevon Holman, DB, 11
Jace Saunders, DB, 12
Daniel Neal, QB, 11
Braiden Shawcroft, TE, 12
Brynner Jackson, DB, 11
Ty Hirrlinger, WR/DB, 11
Carson Hancock, RB/LB, 11
Linkin Robson, RB, 11
Zac Potter, DB, 12
Brent Parkinson, DL, 12
Carter Harris, DL, 11
Will Caffrey, WR, 11
Tanner Hawkes, WR, 11
Carson Harris, RB/LB, 10
Dillan Stoddard, LB, 12
Ryley Williams, OL/DL, 11
Connor Jensen, DL, 11
McKay Tillery, OL/LB, 11
Kaden Burnham, OL, 12
Colter Harris, OL/DL, 12
Andrew Chase, DL, 11
Zach Dougherty, TE, 11

Preseason Coaches' Poll

1. South Fremont
2. Sugar-Salem
3. Teton

Written by: Marlowe Hereford

Sugar-Salem's trophy collection continued to grow larger in 2020.

After another competitive regular season in the Mountain Rivers Conference ended with identical 1-1 records between the three teams, the Diggers claimed one of two available state playoff spots via a Kansas City playoff. The postseason run ended with a third consecutive 3A state championship and a 10-1 final record.

Gone are Brigham Lee, Weber State signee Crew Clark, Logan Cutler and Teagon Brower, but the Diggers have plenty of familiar faces back on the varsity roster. Among the returning players to aid Sugar-Salem title defense are starting offensive linemen Jerek Rammell, Garison Madsen, Boyd Sorenson and Ryken Clay. Jonah Schulthies, Wyatt Harris, Cooper Porter and Ryan Harris also return after notable playing time last season.

Daniel Neal, a junior, will take over as quarterback, and head coach Tyler Richins said the Diggers will continue to make strides to improve their passing game.

"We know that to win big games late in the season we have to be more balanced and have to be able to keep teams from loading the box," Richins said.

Sugar-Salem has six returning starters on defense, including Schulthies, Sorenson and Ryan Harris. Richins said these experienced players will make the running game difficult for opposing teams this season, adding that the Diggers are aiming for more consistency in their secondary.

"We were really down in turnovers caused last year," Richins said.

With so many familiar names on the roster this season, Richins said he is most excited about the depth Sugar-Salem will have.

"This will allow us to play more kids and keep kids fresh which will help as the season progresses," Richins said.

The high level of competition within the Mountain Rivers Conference was on display last season as Sugar-Salem's lone loss came to South Fremont and a Kansas City playoff was needed to determine whose seasons would continue. Another competitive season appears to be on tap, and Richins said he believes Teton will surprise people with new faces and new direction with first year head coach Jeff Wilkes.

"Sometimes youth can be your advantage," Richins said.