Note: Riverton finished with a 10-2 record last season and second in Region 4 with a 5-1 record. It lost to Bingham 35-3 in 5A semifinals.
RIVERTON — When Brent Hawkins took over the Riverton football team, he considered changing things around.
He had been working within the program for 15 years but, as the new head coach, he thought maybe he could make some tweaks.
After a little consideration, he changed his mind.
"The more I thought about it, that's a two-to-three-year process," Hawkins said. "I wanted the seniors this year to have an experience that's positive. Continuity was the key."
So he kept the offense and the defense, and much of the coaching staff stayed the same, and they went to work prepping the Silverwolves for the upcoming season.
"That's the positive thing about where we're at: the program is established so we can reload a little better than if we were in a different situation," said Hawkins, noting that his team has a total of three returning varsity players.
"There's a lot of continuity and that's been good," he said. "It's been good for the offseason, it's been good for the confidence of the kids, it's been good for knowing what we have coming back and where we can use them."
One of the vital pieces the Silverwolves have coming back is senior linebacker Simeon Page. An All-State selection as a junior, Page is the anchor heading into his final season.
"He's the leader out there," Hawkins said. "He's the starter that's back, he's going to run the show, he does a good job. He came a long way last year."
Other returning starters include Cade Palmer, a senior wide receiver and defensive back, and Kalen Cook, a senior receiver who gained his varsity experience by rotating into the lineup last season.
Along with the returning starters, Hawkins is excited about a number of seniors moving into starting roles this season.
Senior Kaden Wilson will step in at quarterback, Parker Rockwell at guard, and Bryce Bindley will play wide receiver as well as a role on defense. Drake Downs is a wide receiver and defensive back, Josh Glenn is a running back and defensive back and three-sport-athlete Cody Harrison doubles as the backup quarterback and role player on defense.
Add to the mix Ethan Kiernan (TE/LB), Jonah Larsen (OL/DL), Gavin Slack (K), Brenden Smith (RB/DB), and Driscoll Stone (RB/DB) and it's clear why Hawkins is excited about his inaugural season.
"A lot of the guys don't have varsity experience from last year, but they're seniors this year and they're going to be real good," said the coach. "I think we're in a situation where we've established a program and we're trying to take it to the next step. Coach (Mike) Miller did a great job and now we want to leave it better than we found it."
Riverton Silverwolves at a glance
Head Coach: Brent Hawkins is entering his first season as Riverton’s head coach. He has been an assistant at the school for 16 years. Hawkins is a graduate of Jordan High School and the University of Utah.
Offense (1 returning starter; Wing-T offense)
Offensive coordinator: Joe Edman (11 years as assistant)
Returning offensive starters
Kalen Cook (WR)
Offensive newcomers to watch
Kaden Wilson (QB)
Parker Rockwell (G)
Bryce Bingley (WR)
Ethan Kiernan (TE)
Brenden Smith (RB)
Defense (2 returning starters, 4-3 defense)
Defensive coordinator: Brent Hawkins
Returning defensive starters
Simeon Page (LB)
Cade Palmer (DB)
Defensive newcomers to watch
Drake Downs (DB)
Josh Glenn (DB)
Cody Harrison (DB)
Gavin Slack (K)
Jonah Larsen (DL)
Discoll Stone (DB)
Coaches preseason 3A South straw poll: Fifth
Deseret News 3A South prediction: Third
Bottom line: With a new coach and new kids stepping into every starting spot but three, Riverton has a lot of adjusting to do. Fortunately for the Silverwolves, nearly everything else — the offense, the defense, the majority of the coaching staff — has stayed the same. Now, new head coach Brent Hawkins says the Silverwolves need to remain patient. It will take time to get comfortable in their new roles, but he's confident his team will be competitive.
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Last 5
2014 — 10-2 (5-1 in Region 4 – 5A Semifinals)
2013 — 8-3 (4-2 in Region 4 – 5A Quarterfinals)
2012 — 6-5 (3-2 in Region 4 – 5A First round)
2011 — 5-6 (3-2 in Region 4 – 5A First round)
2010 — 10-2 (5-1 in Region 3 – 5A Quarterfinals)
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Riverton coaching history
2015 — Brent Hawkins (0-0)
2004-2014 — Mike Miller (72-49)
1999-2003 — Rick Bojak (13-38)
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Deseret News First Team all-staters the past 10 years
2014 — Simeon Page, LB
2010 — Landon Fisher TE
2010 — Skyler Fullmer LB
2008 — Zach Spencer, RB
To view second team and honorable mention all-staters through the years, check out the Deseret News All-State Archives.
Sarah Thomas earned a degree in Mathematics from the University of Utah and is currently pursuing an MBA at Westminster College. She has been covering sports for the Deseret News since 2008.