Cowboy champ leads Union

Going directly from the rodeo arena to the football field isn't a route taken by most of Utah's prep gridiron stars.

But then again, most guys aren't as talented as Union quarterback Rhen Richard — in the arena or on the field.

As fall football camp commences at Roosevelt's Union High, Richard, a senior, is quite literally turning his attention from one sport to another.

Six days ago, Richard reigned supreme at the National High School Rodeo Finals in Springfield, Ill., pulling down top honors as the all-around cowboy winner.

Now, with the hopes of the Roosevelt community resting squarely on his shoulders, Richard hopes to lead Union High to success on the football field this fall.

It's a challenge he relishes.

"I just want to come out in our first preseason game and show what I can do, throwing the ball and running the ball," he says.

Just getting to see Richard in action should be exciting for new Union coach Doug Bills, who was the head coach at Springville High for 16 years before retiring from Nebo School District last winter.

"He's a player, and he's going to be a big key to what we do," says Bills. "From everything I've heard — and I've only seen highlights of him — he can do some great things."

If Bills needs any more validation of his 6-foot-1, 190-pound star — on top of what he already has — he need only ask any of his fellow Region 10 coaches about the quarterback.

All of them speak glowingly whenever asked about Richard.

"I think he's the top quarterback we'll see all year," says Park City coach Brandon Matich, whose team has dates lined up with Hillcrest, Hurricane and Star Valley of Wyoming this season. "Our kids get up to play Rhen because he's so talented."

Realistically, Union's season won't hinge around the play of Richard, who will be a three-year starter at quarterback and should be solid. Instead, the question for the Cougars, who are hoping to bounce back from a disappointing 2006 season, is, can enough guys step up around their senior leader to be successful?

To that end, Richard thinks the answer will be yes.

"We've got a lot of talent this year," he says.