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Diamond Ranch Diamondbacks

After losing in last season's Class 1A state title game, Robbie Dias thinks his Diamond Ranch football team is even hungrier this year. And with an unprecedented nine returning starters from last season, the Diamondbacks are as ready as ever to get back to the big game.

"I think they kind of got a taste of that, being in the state championship game and being on a stage like that — it got them all excited," Dias said.

It's those returning players, however, that Dias is most excited about.

"All of them started for me last year and so they've seen it, they know our system, they know what to expect," Dias said. "Instead of having to explain or it by [using] film, I've got boys that have seen it and have been a part of it."

Among those returners are both of his starting running backs from last year, as well as two wide receivers, a pair of linemen, a linebacker and a defensive back.

"We've never had that," Dias said about the number of players returning.

The Diamondbacks will have a tough road to get back to the state title game, with six games against playoff teams, but they're in good shape, according to Dias.

"They've seen the teams, they know what offense they're running, kind of what defenses they're running," Dias said. "I feel like they got a taste of that state championship and they really, really want it."

Assignment • 1A South

Last year • 7-5 overall, 4-0 in 1A South; Lost to Rich 20-0 in state title game

Key returners • For a team that rarely has any of its players return from year to year, the Diamondbacks have nine players returning on offense and defense from last year.

Player to watch • New quarterback Thomas McCann has impressed the coaching staff so far this summer at the Utah and BYU summer camps, and they expect big things from him under center.

Biggest hole • Depth. Despite the large number of returners on both sides of the ball, the depth chart gets a little thin after the starters.

Need to know • In a rematch of last season's 1A state title game, Diamond Ranch will play Rich on the road on Sept. 25.