High School Huddle Camp Tour: Rice Memorial Green Knights

SOUTH BURLINGTON, VT – In Division II, the Rice Memorial Green Knights are hoping to learn from last season’s losses.

“Some of what we ran into last year was teams figuring out across the line of scrimmage that they could kind of out-strength us. We were using a lot of formations and a lot of geometry because we couldn’t use as much physics against teams,” said Green Knights head coach Chad Cioffi. “So that piece we definitely feel is different this year.”

After a 3-0 start to last season, Rice Memorial lost its final six games including a 42-0 beat down in the playoffs against eventual DII champs, North Country.

“I think we all just lost confidence in ourselves,” said Coleton Merchant, an offensive and defensive lineman. “We had good confidence in the first three games, and then once we hit that downhill slide, it was all bad.”

But it’s a new year and the Green Knights have plenty of optimism.

“[This is a] really accelerated group, a lot of returning starters,” said Cioffi. “I feel like what we lost was a lot of character and cultural leadership. What we’re regaining, we didn’t really lose much.”

“We have a lot of experience playing the ball. We have a bunch of three and four-year starters,” said Merchant.

One of those star returners is versatile quarterback Dallas St. Peter.

“He is obsessed with being the hardest worker here. When your best players do that, those are the best teams,” said Cioffi.

“We’re very determined and hungry to get a bunch of wins on our record,” said St. Peter. “We didn’t meet our expectations [last year]. This year we’re trying to come back. We’re in the weight room all winter, all summer, trying to get stronger.”

When asked about his expectations for the season, St. Peter said: “A championship, championship and having a great time with my guys.”

If you go by the Rice athletic fields right now, you’ll notice the football field is under construction. The school is adding a turf field.

“We’re hoping our home opener is the debut of the new Rice Memorial turf field,” said Cioffi.

That home opener isn’t until Week 3. The Green Knights kick off their season against Spaulding on August 30.

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