Springdale, Rogers Hope To Keep Seasons Alive

By Nathan Allen

Posted: November 6, 2009 at 5:10 a.m.

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SPRINGDALE — All week, Springdale High interim coach Dennis DeBusk has reminded his players that the playo◊s start now.

Although it’s still the last week of the regular season, both Springdale and Rogers High, which play at 7:30 p.m. today in Jarrell Williams Bulldog Stadium, are fi ghting for their playo◊lives.

If Springdale wins, it will be the No. 6 seed from the 7A-West Conference. For Rogers to findits way to the playo◊s, it needs to beat Springdale by at least four points and have Fort Smith Southside defeat Fort Smith Northside, Rogers coach Ronnie Peacock said.

“We’ve just tried to tell the kids that this is the playo◊s. It’s just like a playo◊game,” DeBusk said. “Win and you’re in; it’s really as simple as that. I think our kids realize how important this week is. They know what’s at stake - and I’m sure Rogers High realizes the same.”

Both teams have had lessthan-ideal seasons - each winning only two games. The Bulldogs (2-6, 1-5) defeated Northside on Oct. 17 for their only conference victory while Rogers is still looking for its fi rst.

Regardless, both teams see tonight’s contest as a chance to erase their regular-season woes and start the playo◊s with a renewed sense of confi dence.

“We are playing for something,” Peacock said. “That’s what makes this game important. I expect our seniors will fight to get to the playo◊s.”

This season, Springdale’s offense has been impressive at times, but thatwasn’t the case last week in a 28-0 loss at Bentonville. The Red’Dogs, who are averaging 31.1 points per game, have been led by junior quarterback Joseph Calcagni, who has completed 119 passes for 1,688 yards and 15 touchdowns.

Meanwhile, Rogers hasundergone a dramat ic change to its offensive scheme with numerous injuries to several key players. The Mounties - now mostly a run-first team - will likely depend on junior quarterback Graham Parker, who will run Rogers’ o◊ense out of a Power-I or Dead-T formation.

“They’re very good at what they do,” DeBusk said. “Even though they’ve totally changed what they started with, they’re doing it very well. Defensively, Rogers is extremely talented. We’re going to have to play well on o◊ense and get it going there if we want to have a chance. Regardless, it should be a great game.”

Sports, Pages 9 on 11/06/2009

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