The Ridgefield Spudders are entering the 2026 football season with plenty of uncertainty, but head coach Scott Rice believes that uncertainty can become an opportunity.
After intentionally scheduling challenging nonleague opponents, Ridgefield now faces what Rice described as potentially the toughest schedule in school history following changes to the league alignment.
“We went out and intentionally picked up Battle Ground, intentionally picked up Skyview,” Rice said. “And then all the league change stuff happened where it was like, then you add Tumwater and Washougal and River and everybody into the mix. And it turns into arguably the toughest schedule in school history.”
The Spudders will also have plenty of new faces stepping into significant roles. Ridgefield returns just one starter on each side of the ball and has no returning starters along the offensive line.
At quarterback, juniors Ethan Rovira and Ekolu Poki are competing for the starting job during the first two weeks of practice.
“We’ve got two guys that have done a good job in the offseason,” Rice said. “And so we’ve got to figure out who the guy’s going to be.”
The opening nonleague games will offer an immediate test. Ridgefield will face two 4A programs Rice described as playoff-caliber opponents, giving younger players a chance to prove themselves before league play.
“Those two non-league games that don’t count for anything, like having that gut check and having the opportunity to see who is going to rise to the occasion?” Rice said. “Who’s going to tough it out? Who’s going to compete against the two 4A programs who are both playoff caliber teams?”
The Spudders also have 2A powerhouse Tumwater Thunderbirds on the schedule.
Despite the youth, Rice is encouraged by the group’s work ethic. The Spudders will primarily be led by sophomores and juniors this season, with a talented freshman class developing behind them.
“I really like this crew. I think it’s a bunch of really good kids, and they work really hard,” Rice said. “But they’re young.”
With roughly 12 seniors on the roster, Ridgefield cannot rely on experience alone. Instead, Rice expects those veterans to help guide a young team through a season designed to test how quickly the Spudders can grow.
The challenge begins immediately, but the Spudders are embracing it.
Head coach: Scott Rice
Classification: 2A
League: GSHL
2025 season stats:
Regular season: 5-4
League record: 5-2
