Note: Rich finished with a 2-8 overall record in 2018 and was tied for second in 1A North with a 1-2 record. It lost to Monticello 41-0 in the 1A quarterfinals.
Rich 2018 Offensive and Defensive Stats
RANDOLPH — Looking on the bright side, the Rich Rebels doubled their win total in 2018 from 2017’s results.
On the downside, the Rebels still won just two games last season under first-year head coach Justin Groll, and some of the challenges present in 2018 remain in 2019. Most notably, the squad is still incredibly young.
“Last year I played seven or eight freshmen and sophomores at the end of the season,” Groll said. “They’re going to have to step in and fill some roles. We lost 10 seniors, which will hurt us, but we’ve got some kids who should be able to step in and get going.”
Although Groll had been a longtime assistant to the legendary Ashley Brown before taking over last season, he said it was still a “big jump” for him last season, and he anticipates more challenges as Rich moves to the 2A classification.
“It’ll be an uphill battle basically every game,” he said. “It’s going to be some growing pains to get started, I’m sure.”
Rich Rebels at a glance
Coach: Justin Groll is entering his second season as head coach of the Rebels. They compiled a 2-8 record in 2018.
Groll’s comments on new UHSAA RPI:
“I’m keeping my mind open right now because I don’t know how it’s going to work. My concern is making sure you’re playing good competition and everybody’s getting good competition, but some of the smaller schools might not be ranked as well. Scheduling-wise, trying to get a schedule is my big concern.”
Rich offensive snapshot
Offensive coordinator: Justin Groll
2018 offensive production: 7 ppg (8th in 1A)
— 4 returning starters
— Spread offense
Returning offensive starters
Stetson Huffaker (QB)
Colton Hislop (RB)
Kyler Wilson (WR)
Sage Weston (OL)
Offensive newcomers to watch
Hayden Meek (RB/WR)
Jaidyn Groll (RB/WR)
Keys for offensive success in 2019
As with most teams, Groll feels the offensive line’s play is key, although perhaps for a different reason than some teams. He employs the spread offense as a way to alleviate pressure on the line, but he still has questions about whether his line will be able to hold up given its youth. Secondarily, can receivers be good pass-catchers once the ball is in the air?
Rich defensive snapshot
Defensive coordinator: Glenn Smith
2018 defensive production: 29.2 ppg (8th in 1A)
— 4 returning starters
— 4-4 defense
Returning defensive starters
Stetson Huffaker (LB)
Colton Hislop (LB)
Kyler Wilson (DB)
Sage Weston (DL)
Defensive newcomers to watch
Jaidyn Groll (LB)
Hayden Meek (DB)
Keys for defensive success in 2019
Like on offense, Groll feels the play of his defensive line will be the most critical component of the Rebels’ defense this year. Specifically, he wants to see the unit be more aggressive in the hopes it will take pressure off of the linebackers and defensive backs.
Bottom line
With the overall youth on the Rich squad, it will likely be another tough season in Randolph, particularly because of the team’s move up to 2A. At the very least, can the group get better from week to week, and perhaps pick up another victory or two compared to last year’s win total? The first item would be a step in the right direction, and the second would surely be considered a notable accomplishment.
Coaches preseason 2A North straw poll: Sixth
Deseret News 2A North prediction: Sixth
2019 Schedule
Aug. 23 — KANAB, 4 p.m.
Aug. 30 — at Bear Lake, Idaho, 7 p.m.
Sept. 6 — at Altamont, 7 p.m.
Sept. 13 — at Gunnison Valley, 7 p.m.
Sept. 20 — LAYTON CHRISTIAN, 4 p.m.
Sept. 27 — NORTH SUMMIT, 4 p.m.
Oct. 4 — at Enterprise, 6 p.m.
Oct. 11 — at Duchesne, 7 p.m.
Oct. 17 — MONTICELLO, 7 p.m.
….
Felt’s Facts for Rich High School
All-time record: 213-150 (34 years)
Region championships: 5 (1991 co, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2014)
Playoff appearances: 34
Current playoff appearance streak: 34 (1985-2018)
All-time playoff record: 39-28
State championships: 6 (1994, 1995, 1996, 2002, 2009, 2014)
State championship record: 6-7
Most played rivalry: 43 meetings with Duchesne dating back to 1985. Rich leads 22-21.
Felt’s Factoid(s): Rich has competed in the state playoffs every season in its 34 years of existence.
...
Last 5
- 2018 — 2-8 (1-2 in 1A North - 1A Quarterfinals)
- 2017 — 1-9 (0-3 in 1A North – 1A Quarterfinals)
- 2016 — 6-5 (3-1 in 1A North - 1A Semifinals)
- 2015 — 5-6 (3-1 in 1A North - 1A Semifinals)
- 2014 — 9-3 (3-0 in 1A North -1A Champions)
...
Rich coaching history
- 2018-current — Justin Groll (2-8)
- 2000-2017 — Ashley Brown (123-80)
- 1991-1999 — Jerre Holmes (67-30)
- 1989-1990 — Dan Haskell (8-12)
- 1985-1988 — Dean Scott (13-20)
.....
Deseret News MVPs the past 10 years
- 2014 — Cache Sabey, RB/LB
- 2009 — Bradley Holmes, QB/LB
Deseret News First Team all-staters the past 10 years
- 2018 — Jaden Nelson, OL/DL
- 2017 — Kinnen Clark, RB/LB
- 2016 — Riley Ostler, RB/DB
- 2016 — Nik Wallentine, WR/LB
- 2016 — Payson Willis, OL/DL
- 2015 — Koy Brown, QB/DB
- 2015 — Mitch Jarman, RB/LB
- 2015 — Kyler Clark, RB/LB
- 2015 — Ryland Frandsen, OL/LB
- 2014 — Koy Brown, QB/LB
- 2014 — Joseph Leifson, RB/DB
- 2014 — Kyler Clark, RB/LB
- 2014 — Wyatt Muirbrook, WR/DE
- 2014 — Jayden Wallentine, WR/DB
- 2014 — Ryley Smith, OL/DL
- 2013 — McKay Jarman, QB/DE
- 2013 — Dakota Clark, RB/DL
- 2013 — Skyler Argyle, TE?DE
- 2013 — Hawkan Cornia, OL/DL
- 2013 — Isaac Hopkin, OL/DL
- 2012 — Austin Groll, QB/DB
- 2012 — Kaden Thomson, RB/LB
- 2012 — McKay Jarman, WR/DL
- 2012 — Kade Earley, OL/DL
- 2011 — Austin Groll, QB/LB
- 2011 — Brady Meek, RB/LB, Rich
- 2011 — Bracken Pinter, TE/DE
- 2010 — Kayden Calder, QB/DB
- 2010 — Kalen Larsen, OL/DL
- 2010 — Cody Groll, RB/DB
- 2010 — Phillip Peart, OL/LB
- 2009 — Caden Andersen, QB/LB
- 2009 — Hayden McKee, RB/LB
- 2009 — Clint Cornelison, WR/DB
- 2009 — Cooper Cornia, LB/RB
- 2009 — Tyson Larsen, OL/LB
To view second team and honorable mention all-staters through the years, check out the Deseret News All-State Archives.