2026 High School Football Preview Series: Rigby Trojans aim for toughness, accountability, and focus

RIGBY, Idaho (KIFI) – The Rigby Trojans high school football team is preparing for the upcoming season in Idaho's 6A division under Head Coach Armando Gonzalez, relying on the pillars of what Rigby football is all about to prepare this season's squad for what's ahead.

The program emphasizes physical and mental preparation to compete in Idaho's highest classification. Gonzalez said the coaching staff focuses on building mental toughness and managing high-stress game conditions.

“We have a certain identity. We want to be the most dominant team in Idaho physically, mentally…” Gonzalez said. He added that success depends on focus: “Can we focus better than everybody else and can we operate in a stressful environment because varsity football, especially in 6A is pretty competitive. We want to be the mentally Toughest team in Idaho. We want to play with perfect effort. And, if we focus on what's, you know, happening right in front of us, Then the rest will take care of itself.”

Rigby is replacing a talented senior class from last season that included quarterback Jacob Flowers, running back Amani Morel and defensive back Cannon Korth to name just a few. A new group of upperclassmen has stepped into leadership roles for the upcoming season.

Senior running back Kue Kofe was named a team captain this summer. Last season, he earned first-team all conference honors. Kofe noted that the program relies heavily on player leadership.

“Every day you're doing the best you got,” Kofe said. “Other places, it's the coaches that run everything. And I'm sure [coach Gonzalez] talked about it, but he wants things to be team led, leader led by our captains. And that's what we try to do. And that's how it was when I first got here. And I've appreciated it as I've come up through the program.”

Senior tight end and slot receiver Jaxon Nelson was also appointed a team captain during the summer following an honorable mention all-conference selection last year. Nelson mentioned how impactful roster turnovers make outsiders ask questions, but is confident that this year's team is filled with talent and competitors.

“People always say, oh, they lost a lot. We'll see how they do,” Nelson said. “The program that we've built, it just builds people. That's how we do it... we 'build men for others' that's our motto," he said with a chuckle, as he pointed to head coach Gonzalez, acknowledging the team's internal slogan. He continued, "we build the warriors to fill the positions.”

Nelson highlighted a team tradition known as the Long Gold Line, which emphasizes mentorship between graduating players and incoming seniors.

“It's kind of the tradition we have of like loving each other and being for each other, being a brotherhood,” Nelson said. “Right. So there's like this big brotherhood. And so they... took care of each other and took care of us and like, mentored us, it's just kind of how it is.”

The Rigby Trojans travel to Utah on Friday, Aug. 21, to open their season against the Roy Royals.