Season Off to a Slow Start

By Anthony Gilbert

The start to the 2009 football season has been an rough one. In RHS only two losses this season, both have come with mistakes that are problems that can be solved. In their first game against American Fork, Riverton turned the ball over too many times.

In their second loss against Lonepeak, the defense played well. But the special teams play was weak. There was only one good part about both the losses, and that is the mistakes made can be fixed.

“So far this season we are progressing and getting better each week,” said Head Coach Mike Miller.

On the offensive side of the ball, the running game has averaged 275.0 rushing yards per game. The offense as a whole is averaging 396.5 total yards per games according to MaxPreps (maxpreps.com) as of September 17.

On the other side of the ball, the defense has forced a turnover every game according to Brent Hawkins, Defensive Coordinator/ Assistant Head Coach.

“The turnovers forced are an attribute to good preparation and great pursuit of the ball, our defense if very fast and very smart,” said Hawkins.

The defense has also accumulated 14.0 sacks on the season for a total loss of 49 yards. Cole Osborne leads the team in sacks with 4.0 and 38 total tackles through five games as of September 22.

“I would like the defense to improve on starting games with better energy and set the tone better for a physical game,” said Hawkins.

Bingham Head Coach David Peck, said RHS gives Bingham a tough time.

“Their offense is different than any other offense that we play,” said Peck.

Senior Offensive guard, and defensive end, Cody Ward said.

“The season has taken some unexpected turns, but in the end it has only made us a stronger and closer team.”

RHS also has some needed strengths, according to Ward.

“We are an extremely athletic team full of players with desire and heart,” said Ward.

Miller has also seen some positives of this team.

“Offensively, we proved we can move the ball, and defensively we have shown that we can shut down and offense,” said Miller.

Miller wants to take the rest of the season one game at a time when asked if there was any game in particular for the rest of the season.

While many are looking forward to the Alta and Bingham games, do not overlook any of the other teams on RHS’s schedule.