The Rigby vs. Utah battle continues as Trojans host Syracuse

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District 6 Game of the Week

Syracuse (UT) at Rigby
Friday at 7 p.m.

EASTERN IDAHO – For the third straight week, the defending 6A state champion Trojans take on a Utah team in an effort to bolster their early-season schedule.

Rigby beat Roy (UT) 35-0 to open the season and downed Farmington (UT) 27-16 at last week’s Rocky Mountain Rumble.

Syracuse is ranked No. 9 in Utah’s 6A division despite a 1-2 record. The losses were by a combined four points to Woods Cross and Bountiful. Bountiful in ranked No. 4 in Utah’s 5A division.

Speaking of rankings, Rigby continues to hold the top spot in the 6A state media poll, as well as the state coaches’ poll.

Coach Armando Gonzalez has said that any early-season hype is irrelevant to the team’s goal of improving every week and focusing on conference play over the final three weeks of the season and eventually getting ready for the postseason.

Perhaps the biggest question entering the new season was how would quarterback Evan Freeman adjust to his new role after playing receiver the past two years.

Judging by the numbers, the answer is he’s adjusted just fine.

Freeman ran for 114 yards on 15 carries in last week’s win and was an efficient 12 of 17 for 87 yards and two touchdowns through the air.

On the defensive side, the Trojans will be challenged by Syracuse QB Ledger Wight, who’s thrown 10 touchdown passes in three games. He’s also rushed for 187 yards and a touchdown while averaging nearly nine yards per carry.

The Titans have a balanced offense, with two players averaging more than 60 yards rushing per game, and six different receivers hauling in TD passes.

Friday’s matchup is Rigby’s home opener.