MERIDIAN — The 2015 5A state champions welcome back a familiar face to the sidelines this fall.
"It's awesome, we sure missed him last fall, and it's great to have him back on the offensive side because he's an offensive mastermind," said senior WR Brayden Hamilton.
After a year away as Eagle's athletic director, former Rocky Mountain head coach Scott Criner returns as the Grizzlies new offensive coordinator.
"I'm doing the interview other than him, other than that, it's kind of the same," said Rocky Mountain head coach Chris Culig. "He runs the offense, and that's been really nice, it's allowed me to focus on defense again."
Criner has options under center to work with including pocket passer Colby Jackson, or the more athletic senior Tre Page
"It's good, having the two quarterbacks give us options. Tre will give us the chance to run the ball, give us the ability to be more mobile, Colby is more of a pocket passer," said senior running back Nick Romano.
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One position without a question mark is running back, where senior Nick Romano is poised for a huge fall after rushing for over 700 yards last season.
"I've gained 15 pounds, been knocking down sometimes like my 40 (yard dash). Just trying to be as well prepared as I can," said Romano.
"He is a beast," said Hamilton.
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"He's the fastest kid we have on our team, he's the strongest kid we have on our team, so there's a good chance you'll see him carrying the load this fall," said Culig.
On the perimeter, wide receiver Brayden Hamilton adds versatility with his size and catching ability.
"I like to bring a lot of intensity, I like to be that hybrid type, that can block, run and catch," said Hamilton.
"He's deceptive because he's 6'3, 215 pounds and he's faster than people think he is," said Culig.
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Defensively, the Grizzlies will showcase a speedy linebacking core, Behind that unit, Kaimana Nawahine leads the safeties, making plays on the back end like his older brother does for the Broncos.
"Nawahines, in general, are just beasts, and that dude can just ball-hawk," said Hamilton.
The goal for the Grizzlies this fall? It's simple, just win.
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"Our expectations are to win every football game, there is no other expectation, and it's been that way as long as I've been at Rocky," said Culig.