RIGBY Things we discovered during Rigby and Coeur d’Alene’s season opening on Friday.
First, the Trojans defeated the Vikings 38-7, extending their winning streak to 12 games. Rigby hasn’t missed a beat since last year’s championship run.
Second, quarterback Jacob Flowers may play a larger role in the team’s running game this season, joining Amani Morel, following the graduation of Jerzey Duenes, a crucial member of the team’s explosive rushing tandem from the previous campaign.
And that might work against rival defenses.
In his second season as Rigby’s starting quarterback, Flowers finished with an impressive 15 for 18 for 132 yards, running for two touchdowns and passing for two more.
In addition, he ran for 110 yards, setting the tone for the rest of the game with a 58-yard touchdown run on the third play.
Near the end of the first quarter, Flowers sprinted for a four-yard touchdown run, and the Vikings were right behind them.
During the Vikings’ first four possessions, Coeur d Alene was limited to three punts and a fumble by Rigby’s defense.
Early in the second quarter, Evan Freeman pulled in a 38-yard score from Flowers, and on the following possession, Morel ran for a one-yard touchdown to give the Trojans a 28-0 lead.
With 1:29 remaining in the half, Caden Symons found Maddox Lindquist for a 28-yard touchdown, giving the Vikings their first goal.
However, in the final seconds, Rigby responded with a strong drive that allowed Andrew Jaynes to make a field goal from 41 yards out.
In the second half, the Rigby defense took care of the rest, maintaining the 31-7 lead.
Armando Gonzalez, the coach of Rigby, stated, “I thought we controlled the game.” I believe that regardless of the opponent, we act according to these two standards rather than goals. This week, our two standards were to play for each other as brothers and to demonstrate our physical dominance. I thought we did that right from the start.
We also discovered that, with its crowded stadium, rowdy student body, and celebratory fireworks that are lit up after every goal, Rigby undoubtedly has a homefield advantage.
Since 2019, the Trojans have a 26-1 home record; their lone in-state defeat occurred on October 6, 2023, against rival Highland.
Next Saturday, the Trojans will play Woods Cross (UT) at the ICCU Dome in Pocatello in the Rocky Mountain Rumble.
