FOOTBALL
Rogers out for Hogs
Arkansas Razorbacks senior offensive lineman Zach Rogers, one of the most experienced reserves inherited by the new Chad Morris staff, has decided to give up football and concentrate on his career in professional law enforcement in Northwest Arkansas.
Rogers, 21, married his girlfriend Kathryn last spring and graduated in December.
"I was just at that point in my life," Rogers said. "I got married last May. I decided that it was just time for me to move on and take the next step in my life."
Rogers said he informed former Coach Bret Bielema and offensive line coach Kurt Anderson of his plan to retire from football during the course of last season, then had a follow-up conversation with new offensive line coach Dustin Fry, who wanted to confirm Rogers was sure of his decision.
"I have nothing against Coach Morris," Rogers said. "I wish him and everyone the best of luck. I had nothing against Coach B. ... This is something I'd been thinking about for a while."
Rogers, a native of Carrollton, Texas, made his first career start this season at center in Arkansas' 41-9 loss at Alabama on Oct. 14. After senior preseason All-America center Frank Ragnow was lost for the year with an ankle injury the following week, Rogers started each of the last five games.
He was likely in line to open spring drills with the starting unit.
"For sure it was tough, but taking everything into consideration, I just felt this was the right thing for me, to move on with my life," he said. "I enjoyed every minute of being a student-athlete up here. Everyone I came in contact with was awesome and if I could go back and do it again, knowing everything that I know now, I would still for sure come here."
-- Tom Murphy and Bob Holt
HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL
Greene County Tech hires coach
Greene County Tech hired Nathan Morgan as its new head football coach Thursday. Morgan was the Eagles’ defensive coordinator under former head coach Don Simmons who resigned after this past season. Morgan arrived at Greene County Tech in 2014 after spending four seasons as the head coach at Caruthersville, Mo., where he was 43-8 with two Missouri state quarterfinals appearances and one semifinals appearance. The Eagles went 3-7 in 2017 and 1-6 in the 5A-East Conference.
— Jeremy Muck
MEN'S BASKETBALL
UAM defeats Arkansas Tech
Tyrin Jones scored 29 points and made 3 three-pointers as the University of Arkansas at Monticello (10-5, 5-4 Great American Conference) defeated Arkansas Tech University (11-5, 5-5) 94-72 on Thursday in Monticello.
Derylton Hill had 24 points and 11 rebounds for the Boll Weevils. Cobe Goosby scored 21 points and Karim Mawuenyega added 10 points.
The Wonder Boys were led by RJ Glasper's 28 points. Montrell Williams scored 14 points and Harris Brown had 12 points.
Henderson State wins
Kaylon Tappin finished with 26 points to help Henderson State University (8-7, 3-6 GAC) defeat Harding University (1-14, 1-9) 85-81 in Arkadelphia.
DJ Frankin had 13 points and Chris Parker added 12 points for the Reddies.
Alex Francis and Tim Wagner each had 18 points to lead the Bisons. Zac Ward scored 15 points and Reggie Anthony had 13 points.
SAU gets past OBU
Keeton Tennison had 18 points to lead Southern Arkansas University (7-7, 3-5 GAC) in a 69-64 victory over Ouachita Baptist University (5-8, 3-5) in Magnolia.
Wesley Nosakhare added 10 points for the Muleriders.
Aitor Lopez-Breton led the Tigers with 17 points. Mahlon Martin scored 14 points and Wesley Franklin had 13 points.
WOMEN'S BASKETBALL
Arkansas Tech tops UAM
Ke'Vonshaye Stackhouse scored a career-high 26 points as Arkansas Tech University (12-2, 8-2 Great American Conference) rolled to a 84-66 victory over the University of Arkansas at Monticello (5-9, 1-8) on Thursday in Monticello.
Kylie Ladd also had a career-high in points Thursday, scoring 22 points for the Golden Suns. Jacie Higgins added 14 points and Jayana Sanders chipped in with 10 points.
Idalis Rubalcava led the Cotton Blossoms with 16 points. Brittnee Broadway had 15 points while Mackenzie Johnson added 11 points.
Jones leads Henderson State to victory
Pink Jones finished with 29 points on 12-of-18 shooting and Henderson State University (11-4, 7-2 GAC) defeated Harding University (6-12, 2-8) 79-64 in Arkadelphia.
Hailey Estes had 16 points and 10 rebounds for the Reddies. Haleigh Henson scored 12 points and Torrie Thompson added 11 points.
The Bisons were led by Kellie Lampo, who had 17 points and 8 rebounds. Sydney Layrock scored 10 points.
OBU wins at SAU
Morgan Miller had 15 points to lead Ouachita Baptist University (9-6, 5-4 GAC) to a 75-67 victory over Southern Arkansas University (3-12, 2-7) in Magnolia.
Kori Bullard, Maija Gertsone and Chasidee Owens each scored 10 points for the Tigers.
Sue Key led the Muleriders with 17 points, Kimberly Crown scored 15 and Olivia McWilliams added 11.
SOCCER
UCA hires assistant coach
The University of Central Arkansas men's soccer team has hired Matt Taphorn as an assistant coach, the school announced Thursday.
Taphorn, who played soccer at UCA, returns to Coach Ross Duncan's staff after spending one season at North Carolina-Wilmington. He was the Bears' director of soccer operations in 2016.
-- Democrat-Gazette Press Services
Sports on 01/19/2018