Editor's note: This is the first of a five-part series profiling the high school football teams in Cache County.
When 17 starters return from a high school football team that went 12-1, it would be no surprise that squad is the favorites.
Which is exactly what the Riverhawks are entering the 2025 season. Not only is Ridgeline tabbed to win Region 11, but is also the heavy favorite to claim the 4A state title in November.
"Without question, this is the highest expectations we've ever had, but rightfully so because we have a lot of returning guys off of a pretty good team that didn't get the job done (last year)," Riverhawk head coach Travis Cox said in an interview with The Herald Journal earlier this week. "The urgency is very high, and the expectations are high."
Ridgeline has reached the semifinals the past two years. A good part of the returning starters have suffered through those two tough setbacks. Many thought the Riverhawks would run the table a year ago as they averaged 40.8 points a game, while giving up just 11.2. Spanish Fork foiled Ridgeline's title hopes in the semifinals with a 21-14 victory.
"We felt like we let one slip away last year," Cox said. "It's all about winning the last game. That's the most important thing. That's what's on everybody's mind and has been since last November."
In the nine years Ridgeline has existed, the Riverhawks have one state title in 2021. Cox was at the helm of the program for that championship. He is excited about beginning his sixth year as the head coach and begins the new campaign with a 52-11 overall record in Millville.
"It is so weird, time flies by," Cox said. "I still feel a first-year coach trying to figure things out."
Once again there were some changes to the region. Region 11 will have eight schools in it this season. Logan has dropped down to 3A, while Stansbury, Tooele and brand new Deseret Peak will join Ridgeline, Mountain Crest, Green Canyon, Sky View and Bear River to make up the league.
"I think our region is going to be really good," Cox said. "Sky View returns some pretty good talent and made the semis last year. Mountain Crest is going to be really good. JT does a dang good job at Green Canyon, and they are always a tough team. ... Stansbury is always tough and will be a great addition to the region. I love having them."
The Riverhawks have multiple athletes that will be four-year starters this fall and even more that are three-year starters. Experience is not something Ridgeline is lacking. Plus, Cox has his entire coaching staff back.
"We are pretty much the same, but every year we try to evolve a little bit and do a few things differently," Cox said. "Our biggest key is get really efficient and use the players that we have and let them go win games. We want to play fast and use our talents. ... It's been a blessing that we have our same staff together for a while now. The continuity is really good and how we practice has been pretty normal."
Offensively, the Riverhawks have eight starters back from 2024. Quarterback Nate Dahle, wide receiver Graham Livingston and offensive tackle Easton Hammond -- all seniors -- will become four-year starters.
Dahle will once again be getting calls from offensive coordinator Jeremy Livingston. The signal caller completed better than 63 percent of his passes last year for 2,989 yards with 29 touchdowns and five interceptions. He also ran for 306 yards and eight scores.
"Nate will be Nate, but we have never really run him a lot," Cox said. "I think we will try and run him a little more this year. He is a really athletic kid that I think we can do some things with the run game."
Dahle's top target is back in Livingston, who caught 84 passes for 1,635 yards and 15 TDs and committed to BYU. Also back is senior wide receiver Brady Cook (22 receptions, 321 yards, 2 TDs), junior tight end Krew Jones (12 receptions, 206 yards, 3 TDs), senior reserve tight end/receiver Hunter Knighton (24 receptions, 428 yards, 5 TDs) and back-up senior receiver Cooper Clark (5 receptions, 59 yards, 3 TDs). Junior Owen Leishman will see lots of playing time this season.
"Graham had a heck of an offseason," Cox said. "Last year he was very dynamic and fast. He has gotten even faster and playing on a different level right now. It's nice to see his hard work paying off.
"Brady Cook also had a heck of an offseason. He has been working with Graham. We are really excited with what he is going to do with the ball."
The Riverhawks could use two and three tight ends and will definitely get Jones more involved, even though he is a stalwart on defense. As a freshman, Jones scored a lot. Plus, the coach feels Jones is one of the best blocking tight ends around.
Hammond, who committed to Utah State, anchors a veteran line and has moved to right tackle from left guard. Back are sophomore Tayson Knighton at center, senior Kyler May at right guard and junior Cade Barrett at left tackle. New to the trenches is left guard junior Cooper Wilson.
"That's where we build our team, from the O-line out," Cox said. "That's the most important part."
The biggest hole the Riverhawks have to fill -- and it's a big one -- is at running back. JT White rushed for 1,670 yards and scored 21 TDs on the ground, while catching 17 passes for 174 yards and two more scores. It's a three-man battle to replace White as senior Crosby West and juniors Noah Fiefia and Hudson Parry will take over the ball carrying duties.
"Crosby West played a little bit for us two years ago and has had a strong camp and is not new to Friday night lights," Cox said. "Noah played some as a freshman, and Hudson Parry is really fast and moved here from Rich. We will use them in different ways. Even though we lost a good one, we feel we have three really good backs."
On defense, the Riverhawks have even more experience with nine starters back. Jake Pitcher returns as the defensive coordinator.
"We have a lot back on defense," Cox said.
Up front is sophomore nose guard Matt Alles, backed up by Hammond, who started a year ago. Junior Johnathan Groll will play tackle and is battling with junior Logan Nelson for time. The coach said those two will probably rotate. Back are senior end Coen Richards, who made 44 stops with five sacks, and Jones, who is going to be used "a little differently" this upcoming season. He will be up at times and in coverage at times. Jones made 93 tackles, including 11 sacks last year.
"Most of these guys had a good offseason, have grown and gotten fast," Cox said. "... We are trying to go one way with most of the guys, but some will be a back up.
The linebacking corps includes returning starters Cooper Clark, who is a four-year starter, senior Landon Perkins and Hunter Knighton, another four-year starter, who made 70 tackles and picked off four passes. Perkins made 84 tackles and eight sacks, while Clark recorded 65 tackles with eight sacks.
"Cooper is one of our best players and a leader on defense," Cox said. He wears No. 10, which has a strong history at Ridgeline for winning region Defensive MVP. Our captain on that side wears 10."
In the secondary, senior cornerback Braxton Parry is a three-year starter. Senior Jeff Woodland, who had 43 tackles, has moved from strong safety to cornerback. Junior Hunter Sholly will be the strong safety, and Livingston returns at free safety as one of the two-way players. Sophomore Colton Clark will back up Livingston, who returned four of his five interceptions last season for TDs.
The one area that Ridgeline has a bit of a question mark is in the kicking department with Aaron Young graduated. The Riverhawk coach is confident in who he has, but varsity experience is lacking. Junior Beck Huntsman will kick PATs. Braxton Parry will kick longer field goals, and West will handle kickoff duties. West will also handle punting duties.
Returning kickoffs will be Parry, Livingston and Cook. Livingston will return punts.
"It's nice to have speed," Cox said.
Ridgeline faces a stiff non-region schedule with two of the three games on the road in Park City and 5A Brighton. The Riverhawks begin the 2025 season at home against defending 3A state champion Morgan on Aug. 15, at 7 p.m.
"We try to find the best games we can get to prepare us for the playoffs," Cox said. "I love how it sets up."