Ironwood High School’s varsity football team, fresh off a 5A state championship appearance, is not anticipating a lost step going into next season. “I would look for Ironwood Football next year to pick up where we left off,” said varsity head coach Chris Rizzo.

Last season was a great one for the Ironwood Eagles. A 7-3 record, plenty of blowouts and a state championship run.

Led by then-senior quarterback and San Diego State University commit Will Haskell, last year’s Ironwood team did not shy away from any opponent.

“Coming into the season, we knew we had a lot of skill and potential, but we realized we would have to work hard and play together to beat the top teams in the state,” said Eagles senior linebacker Hunter Forsberg, adding “we always believed we could make it to the state championship, and even win the state championship.”

Despite falling short in the state championship to the Sunrise Mountain Mustangs, the path to get there will carry great momentum going into next season for the Eagles. 

Ironwood is losing a lot of senior talent that contributed a great deal to last season's success, such as Haskell, running back Elijah Sanders, wide reciever Nehemiah Lindo and tight end Bubba Mannino-Faison. 

“All 18 of the graduated seniors were a huge loss for us,” said Eagles senior defensive end Colten Clinkenbeard.

While all this outgoing talent is a huge loss for the Eagles, it just means that their younger talent who have been developing in junior varsity can step into those roles and help carry the momentum going into next season. 

“We are going to miss some of the talent that we had last year, but I think that we've got some kids that are really ready to step into those roles and we've got kids that have a lot of playing experience that know what it takes to win,” said Coach Chris Rizzo, adding “they know what it takes to prepare, and I think that's going to be the advantage that we have over some of these teams next year.”

Players such as junior quarterback Connor Monahan, sophomore wide reciever Jayden Sullivan and sophomore defensive back Bryce Ballard are players named by Rizzo expected to step into some big roles going into next season.

Having continued success within a program such as high school football where the pieces of your team are constantly rotating can be a hard feat. One thing that remains constant in successful programs is the mindset and attitude that carries on year in and year out. 

As Rizzo says, the key factor in having continued team success is “making sure that we have a clear purpose and a clear mindset going into next year.”

While senior defensive end Colten Clinkenbeard cites “staying true to the Ironwood way” as the main factor that has to carry into next season.

Ironwood football is going to look a lot different going into next season, with 18 outgoing seniors and some underclassmen expected to step into some big roles on a reigning state runner-up team, it will be a tall task for Rizzo and the Ironwood team, but it is a challenge that the team is ready to tackle head-on. 

“Without a doubt we lost many very talented players who were a main part of this team, but we believe in the culture and coaching at Ironwood, and all of us are committed to giving a complete effort,” says senior linebacker Hunter Forsberg, going on to say “we feel we are a playoff team and have our sights set on a championship run.”

Ironwood is looking to display that culture and passion next season in pursuit of another state championship run, and this time, they’re looking to bring a trophy back to Glendale.