SPRINGDALE — Springdale Har-Ber knew what was coming and still couldn’t stop it.
That’s the bottom line for the Wildcats, who were rolled 59-42 on the ground by Rogers High on Friday. The Mounties piled up 556 yards rushing, including 222 yards on just eight carries by Brandon Workman. The senior slot back scored on runs of 57, 57, and 63 yards for Rogers, which had three players rush for more than 100 yards.
The Mounties scored on their first five possessions and first two possessions in the second half.
“Rogers established the run game, and I think we stopped them once all night,” Har-Ber coach Chris Wood said. “Rogers was a better team. Rogers just executed and they did a good job on the option pitch.”
Har-Ber (5-3, 3-2) tried for another comeback after overcoming large deficits to beat Webb City, Mo., Fort Smith Southside, and Siloam Springs in earlier games. The Wildcats got to within 49-42 after a short touchdown run by Sain Mathew early in the fourth quarter, but Rogers (5-3, 2-3) put the game out of reach after a field goal and 60-yard interception return for a touchdown by Dane Rogers.
It was a fitting finish for the Mounties, who lost 37-7 last year to the Wildcats.
PLAY OF THE NIGHT: Senior Gus Vitt made a one-handed catch for 15 yards on third-and-7 at midfield in the first half. Kyle Pianalto then hit senior Camden Scott for a 33-yard touchdown on the next play to cut the Rogers lead to 28-14.
PLAYER OF THE GAME: Scott picked up the slack while senior receiver Matt Garrison served a one-game suspension for breaking a team rule. Scott finished with six catches for 101 yards, including touchdown grabs of 9, 33, and 10 yards.
INJURY UPDATE: Wood said Saturday that Pianalto is fine after being shaken up and helped to the sideline late in the game. Junior linebacker Patrick Fine is recovering after suffering an injury to his spleen in the fourth quarter.
UP NEXT: Har-Ber will host unbeaten Fayetteville, while Rogers travels to Siloam Springs in 7A/6A-West Conference play.
AT A GLANCE
THAT FIGURES
3 — Touchdowns catches by receiver Camden Scott, who leads the Wildcats with 10
24— First downs by both teams
102 — Combines points by Rogers High and Rogers Heritage in victories over Springdale Har-Ber and Springdale High Friday