LRS Broncos look to repeat as state champs

RITZVILLE - The Lind-Ritzville/Sprague Broncos reached the pinnacle of success last season with a undefeated season and a 2B state championship. The Broncos beat Morton/White Pass 21-19 to secure the championship, but Head Coach Greg Whitmore isn't ready to bask in his team's past success.

"It starts with us as coaches," he said. "We got to make sure that we don't rest on our laurels and we got a lot of talent coming back, a lot of leadership... we've got all the tools. In a lot of ways we might be more talented than we were last year."

Greg knows that what his team accomplished last season means nothing in 2013 and expects every team to try and prevent the Broncos from becoming repeat champions.

"Last year was a climb up the mountain," he said. "This year we're right back at base camp. This year everyone's kind of pulling on our backs as we climb up that mountain."

It's a sentiment his players have been echoing.

"We need to stay humble," wide receiver Ryan Whitmore said. "Our coaches have been talking to us about how what we accomplished last year doesn't mean squat this year. We still have to be hungry, we still have to want more."

The key to the Broncos returning to the state playoffs will be the play of team captains Connor O'Neill, Dylan Hartz, Whitmore and Tyler Frederick. Hartz and O'Neill accounted for several key plays in the championship game including a 22-year gain on fourth-and-19 with the Broncos trailing 19-5. O'Neill later scored the go-ahead touchdown with 2 minutes left in the game to secure the championship.

Hartz was also named 2B state player of the year.

"All four of them are very talented," Greg said. "The big thing they're leaders too. They're great on and off the field, they're leaders and the young kids follow them."

The preseason chatter has Morton/White Pass as this season's favorite for the 2B state crown, which leaves the Bronco players none too pleased.

"It makes us furious," Hartz said.

Greg and his squad are ready to defend their championship this season and look forward to each team's best effort.

"We're going to treat it as a great challenge," he said. "Those games are fun. We love Friday night games, we don't like blowouts."

The Broncos open their season at 5:30 p.m. Friday in their jamboree at Jimmie Snider Field. Teams in attendance will include the Colfax Bulldogs, Kittitas Coyotes, Mary Walker Chargers, Northwest Christian Crusaders and the Reardan Indians.

Lind-Ritzville/Sprague begins their title defense 7 p.m. Sept. 13 against Warden at home.

"If we can repeat that's something that not many teams have done," Coach Whitmore said.