Coaches can preach, teach, and plead, but nothing registers with players more than winning a game.
Rogers High experienced winning for the first time Friday in a 27-17 victory over Springdale High at Jarrell Williams Bulldog Stadium. Not only did the Mounties (1-6, 1-3) win a road game, they kept their postseason hopes alive in Arkansas' bloated playoff system.
Top Performers Week 7
BEN PANKAU Bentonville quarterback was 13 of 23 passing for 198 yards and 1 touchdown, and rushed for 136 yards on 11 carries and scored another touchdown in the Tigers’ 55-14 win at Fayetteville.
PRESTON CRAWFORD Bentonville running back rushed for 113 yards on 14 carries and scored 3 touchdowns, and caught 3 passes for 60 yards against Fayetteville.
GARY PHILLIPS Van Buren quarterback rushed for 132 yards on just 10 carries and completed 15 of 28 passes for 220 yards and a touchdown in the Pointers’ 49-10 win against Rogers Heritage.
ANDREW ROBERTSON Booneville finished with 157 yards on 18 carries with two touchdowns in the Bearcats’ 48-27 win against Mansfield.
NICK WHITLATCH Bentonville West rushed for 168 yards and scored 3 touchdowns in the Wolverines’ 24-20 win against Springdale Har-Ber.
LOGAN RABEN Shiloh Christian back rushed for more than 100 yards and scored 4 touchdowns as the Saints downed Gentry 49-18.
HUNTER WILKERSON Greenwood rushed for 135 yards and scored 4 touchdowns in the Bulldogs’ 42-20 win at Russellville.
SAMUEL BEARD Pea Ridge rushed for 271 yards and 3 touchdowns as the Blackhawks routed Prairie Grove 57-28.
HARPER FAULKENBERRY Ozark ran for 176 yards and 4 touchdowns as the Hillbillies rolled over Pottsville 35-14.
BRAYDEN ROSS Charleston was 18 of 25 passing for 153 yards and 2 touchdowns in the Tigers’ 34-12 win against Paris.
WESTON WINTERS Hackett rushed for 179 yards on 31 carries in the Hornets’ 20-14 win against Hector.
Rogers senior quarterback Hunter Loyd threw two touchdowns in the fourth quarter to overcome a 17-14 deficit. Loyd, who publicly committed to Missouri State over the weekend, completed 28 of 37 passes for 337 yards. For his effort, Loyd is the Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette Player of the Week.
"Getting the win is a big moral-booster, for sure, and it brings us closer together," Loyd said. "We've kind of been in a storm and the storm has past. We're going to get back to work."
Loyd has had better games, statistically, but none of those resulted in a win. He had plenty of help on offense Friday and Rogers received big plays from special teams and a defense that played its best game of the year.
Joey Lien blocked a punt that led to Loyd's touchdown pass to Christian Francisco with just under five minutes to play. Jordan McKibbon then sealed the victory when he intercepted a pass from Connor Hutchins with two minutes, 41 seconds left in the game.
"Our defense played exceptionally well," Loyd said. "The blocked punt by Joey was a game-changer and our defense had three sacks before Jordan intercepted the pass, which was huge."
Rogers coach Mike Loyd praised his son's play, but also commended the work of the Mounties receivers and linemen who allowed plays to develop. He is especially proud of his entire team for its refusal to quit after an 0-6 start.
"These kids deserve this," Loyd said. "In 33 years of coaching, they're one of the best group of kids I've ever been around. They've worked their tails off and this win gives them something to play for."
Rogers hosts 7-0 Bentonville on Friday before returning to Springdale to face 4-3 Har-Ber. The Mounties will then conclude the regular season against Rogers Heritage, which fell to 0-7 after a 49-10 defeat to Van Buren.
Preps Sports on 10/22/2019