We’re cautiously optimistic about some of our juniors that are going to fill in. – Coach Eric Thorson said.
Note: Richfield finished with a 7-4 overall record in 2014 and tied for third in 3A South with a 2-3 record. It did not qualify for the playoffs.
RICHFIELD — The Richfield football team is divided into two distinct groups: the experienced seniors and the up-and-coming juniors.
The seniors spent a significant amount of time on the field a year ago, making major contributions to the Wildcats' winning record and then working through the offseason to return a group of six confident starters on either side of the ball.
The juniors, meanwhile, now have the opportunity to step into the roles vacated by those who graduated last spring. That, head coach Eric Thorson said, is an idea the Richfield coaching staff has been looking forward to.
"That’s where we’re getting excited," Thorson said. "We’re cautiously optimistic about some of our juniors that are going to fill in."
One of those players is Evan Jerome, who is going to take on the role of starting quarterback. He will be working with rushers and receivers like Jake Luke, Jesse Nay, and Mason Holdaway, which anchor a "group of juniors that’s just extremely committed to the game," Thorson said. "And we’re excited for what they’re going to bring this year."
Returning to the Wildcats' offense is senior Matt Griffin, who spent most of his time as a wideout but will move to the backfield this year, as well as Trenton Utley, who "has amazing hands that we're going to utilize the best we can."
Jenson Magleby, the all-purpose yards leader with 488 rushing and 470 receiving, returns to the backfield, and Thorson anticipates placing the football in his hands often again this season.
"What we’ve got is a few guys that have put in a lot of work and were big contributors last year," Thorson said. "(Utley, Magleby, and Griffin) are just a few of those guys, and we expect them to come in and contribute again."
On the defensive side of the ball, the Richfield coaching staff is depending on Austin Biggs to spearhead the core of linebackers, which will be bolstered with the play of Utley, Holdaway and Luke, just to name a few.
"Defensively, that’s where we’re looking: filling linebacker," Thorson said. "And then we’re looking for some kids to step up and be stronger. We have a lot of fast kids, a lot of talented kids, but we need some get-work-done lineman kids."
Beyond putting the right kids in the right spots, the Wildcats are working to create a new chemistry as they bring the new groups of seniors and juniors together. The leadership required to bring those kids together on the field, Thorson said, will come from the upperclassmen. Specifically Magleby and Griffin.
"Both of those guys are three-sport athletes and they’re fierce competitors, and they’ll be two of our more vocal leaders this year," said the head coach. "They were both on the field quite a bit last year in varsity so they’ll be able to now take the reins."
Once the group comes together, Thorson cannot wait to see what the Richfield football team can become.
"They’re extremely committed; this group’s looking to go out on the field and not look up to anybody," he said. "We want to go into every game feeling like it’s a game that we’re going to win and to push ourselves to where we’ve got teams that we think we can compete. And that’s what’s going to special with these guys."
Richfield Wildcats at a glance
Head Coach: Eric Thorson is entering his second season as Richfield’s head coach where he has amassed a 7-4 record. He is a graduate of Davis High School and Utah State University.
Offense (6 returning starters; Spread offense)
Offensive coordinator: Eric Thorson
Returning offensive starters
Jenson Magleby (RB)
Trenton Utley (WR)
Mitch Harris (OT)
Mason Torgersen (OT)
Matt Griffin (WR)
Austin Biggs (G)
Offensive newcomers to watch
Evan Jerome (QB)
Jake Luke (RB)
Jesse Nay (WR)
Mason Holdaway (RB)
Defense (6 returning starters, 4-3 defense)
Defensive coordinator: Craig Cunningham (Four years as assistant)
Returning defensive starters
Jenson Magleby (SS)
Mitch Harris (DT)
Mason Torgerson (DE)
Matthew Griffin (FS)
Austin Biggs (LB)
Defensive newcomers to watch
Trenton Utley (LB)
Mason Holdaway (LB)
Jake Luke (LB)
Coaches preseason 3A South straw poll: Fifth
Deseret News 3A South prediction: Fifth
Bottom line: A year ago, the Wildcats had a team made up of half seniors and half juniors that played with strong chemistry. This year, it is the job of the new seniors to recreate that same on-field cohesion with the new group of juniors. Once that happens, Thorson is confident the Wildcats will use their athleticism and competitiveness to push the group to a new level and enter every game with increased confidence.
Last 5
2014 — 7-4 (2-3 in 3A South – Missed playoffs)
2013 — 7-4 (2-3 in 3A South – 3A Quarterfinals)
2012 — 6-5 (5-2 in 2A South – 2A Quarterfinals)
2011 — 6-5 (5-2 in 2A South – 2A Quarterfinals)
2010 — 8-3 (3-2 in 12 – 3A First round)
Richfield coaching history
2014-current — Eric Thorson (7-4)
2008-2013 — Corey Morrison (37-28)
2005-2007 — Seth Giddings (12-18)
2000-2004 — Dave Clark (11-38)
1995-1999 — Corey Morrison (3-40)
1989-1994 — Randy Madsen (24-31)
1983-1988 — Paul Messersmith (50-17)
1982 — Larry Estep (4-5)
1979-1981 — Paul Tidwell (20-12)
1973-1978 — Nyle Norris (37-29)
1969-1972 — Gary Roylance (29-13-1)
1967-1968 — Ronald Pierce (1-16)
1966 — Ken Sampson (1-7)
1965 — Unknown (1-6-1)
1963-1964 — Andy Anderson (8-7-1)
1957-1962 — Art Nielson (12-34-3)
1955-1956 — Darwin Woodbury (2-12)
1943-1954 — Clive Roberts (1-7)
1937-1942 — Unknown (13-16-1)
1931-1936 — Joe Buys (28-14-1)
1925-1930 — Paul Packard (17-16)
1922-1924 — Unknown (6-7-3)
1921 — Harry Casey (5-1-1)
Deseret News First Team all-staters the past 10 years
2013 — Brodie Ellis, RB
2013 — Shay Morrison, DL
2013 — Riley Cunningham, DB
2012 — Shay Morrison, TE/DE
2011 — Braden Hampton, RB/DB
2011 — Justus Clark, OL/DL
2010 — Robert Torgerson, DL
2008 — J.D. Michaelsen, WR/DE
2007 — Tyler Tuttle, FB/LB
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.