ROGERS — The Rogers football team found itself pinned deeptwice Friday night.
The first time, Mountie punter Spencer Dunlop had to kick out of his end zone, giving FortSmith Southside a short field.
The second time, the Mounties put together one of the school's longest scoring drives - temporarily grabbing momentum in the 7A-West Conference opener at Mountie Stadium.
The Rebels (3-1, 1-0) jumped to a 14-0 lead and were driving for another score when the Rogers defense stopped Lee Hollis on fourth-and-goal from the Rogers 1.
The Mounties, who failed to run out of the shadow of their goal post earlier in the game, came out throwing.
Senior quarterback Andy Couture had back-to-back first-down throws to start the drive and completed 8 of 12 passes on the long drive. He ran once for a 7-yard gain.
"You're very limited coming out from the 1," Rogers coach Ronnie Peacocksaid. "We made some good plays and showed some heart. I think the kids really bowed up on that drive. I think the defense inspired us with a goal-line stand and I think we inspired the whole team with a 99-yard drive."
After two misses, Couture hit Lucas Gartman for a 13-yard gain on third-and-10 and had backto-back 7-yard gains to move his team across midfield.
Couture hit Graham Parker for a 6-yard gain on third-and-3 to keep the drive going. Parker then caught a deep pass in betweenthree defenders, setting up Couture's 2-yard touchdown pass to Parker on the next play.
The drive - covering 99 yards in 13 plays and two minutes and 36 seconds - cut the Southside lead in half and swung momentum to the Mounties.
Rogers (2-2, 0-1) got within 21-14 before halftime and tied the game early in the third quarter before Southside pulled away.
"At times we did some really good things," Peacock said. "But like I told them, it just wasn't enough. Wejust have to come through in some other areas and we didn't do it.
"I think the kids played hard and I think coming out at halftime we had some momentum. We just didn't make the plays."◊◊ ◊
Injuries plagued the Mounties during last year's 3-7 record and they're starting to pile up again.
Rogers did not have senior linemen Britton Coffin during Friday's game and lost two more starters - Couture and Melton - during the loss.
Melton seemed to be injured when he was tackled on a short screen pass late in the first quarter. He fumbled on the play, but returned and caught an 18-yard touchdown in the second quarter. Melton didnot play after halftime.
Couture, who was sacked four times, did not return after the last sack early in the fourth quarter. Peacock said Couture had a concussion.
The Mounties will also be without senior linebacker D.J. Smart on Friday after he was ejected with a personal foul in the fourth quarter.
"If we end up losing those three kids, that's three of our best," Peacock said.
The Mounties' options are limited at quarterback.
Parker, who practiced there during the spring as Couture recovered from a hand injury, went 1 of 6 for 15 yards and rushed for negative-16 yards in his three drives after Couture left the game.
Sophomore Andrew Conley has played quarterback sparingly in two games this season, attempting one pass and rushing nine times for 20 yards.
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Southside was whistled for 11 penalties for 101 yards - including four 15-yarders - on Friday.
The Rebels were called for two personal fouls - roughing the passer and a late hit out of bounds, respectively - on the Mounties' second and third scoring drives.
"(Those were) foolish penalties," Southside coach Jeff Williams said. "We have to do a better job of not getting penalties and playing smarter football."
Rogers was flagged four times for 47 yards.
The game featured three kickoffs - two by Southside and one by Rogers - after penalties on the extra-point kicks moved to the opposing 45-yard line.
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Southside senior running back David Adair - a small, hard-running back - added a career-high 188 yards to his league-leading rushing totals.
He has 524 yards in three games, including three straight 100-yard performances.
"He's been a workhorse for us," Williams said. "He's done a good job for us. Our offensive line played well again. That's what we do - try to control the tempo and try to play a little defense."
Adair is the fifth running back to post a 100-yard game against the Mounties this season.
Sports, Pages 7, 8 on 09/27/2009