This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2016, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.

They're No. 1.

The Snow College Badgers are the top-ranked junior college football team in the nation entering the 2016 season, according to the Sporting News.

Why? How about a 10-1 campaign last year that included a 38-14 victory over Dodge City in the Salt City Bowl?

How about a bunch of returning starters, including junior quarterback Stefan Cantwell — last season's bowl MVP — and running back Stephen Shepard, who led the Badgers in rushing last season with 661 yards and 12 TDs?

That's a pretty good start.

Snow also returns one third of its top receiving production last season. With Jonah Trinnaman off to BYU and tight end Dalton Fackrell now with Colorado State, Alex Croyle — who racked up 656 yards on 39 receptions last season as a freshman — will be counted on to produce.

Defensively, the Badgers return six starters. Linebackers Dax Esinger and Nela Tuuhetaufa are both back; so is safety Braxton Winterton, who spearheaded a secondary that had 22 interceptions in 2015.

The Badgers have a home-friendly schedule. They were scheduled to open their campaign on Saturday with a tuneup against the Utah Shock, a St. George-based semi-pro team. Snow opens its college schedule on Sept. 3 against Tucson Tech, and Western States Football League play commences on Sept. 10 at Glendale (Ariz.). —

Snow schedule

Aug. 27 • Utah Shock, 1 p.m.

Sept. 3 • Tucson Tech, 1 p.m.

Sept. 10 • at Glendale, 7 p.m.

Sept. 17 • Mesa, 1 p.m.

Sept. 24 • Air Force Prep, 1 p.m.

Oct. 8 • at Ariz. Western, 7 p.m.

Oct. 15 • Pima, 1 p.m.

Oct. 19 • at Eastern Ariz., 7 p.m.

Nov. 5 • Scottsdale, 1 p.m.

Nov. 12 • Phoenix, 1 p.m.