Wages Making Plays For War Eagles

Springdale Har-Ber full back Jeremy Vongvone gains yards against the War Eagles during Friday’s game in Springdale. Go to nwaonline.com/photoreprints to see more photos.
Springdale Har-Ber full back Jeremy Vongvone gains yards against the War Eagles during Friday’s game in Springdale. Go to nwaonline.com/photoreprints to see more photos.

— Despite his lack of size, Christian Wages has come up big for Rogers Heritage at times this season.

The 5-foot-9, 157-pound junior catches the ball and runs it on offense, but he’s also pulled a little double-duty, playing some defensive back, too.

Heritage coach Perry Escalante said they give Wages a hard time about his size.

“We give him a hard time because he takes about five steps to our one,” Escalante quipped.

But Escalante and offensive coordinator Chad Harbison don’t question his elusiveness or his heart.

“He’s really good with yards after catch,” Escalante said. “He’s does really well out in space.”

“He plays fearless,” Harbison added. “He’s not the biggest guy out there, but he’s hard to bring down. Hardly ever does he get tackled for a loss.”

Wages has been strong, statistically speaking, having caught at least one pass in all seven games thus far. He has 25 catches for 283 yards (11.3 avg.) and three touchdowns.

But he’s also had success running the ball lately.

Wages has carried the ball six times for 50 yards over the last two weeks and Harbison said he could have had more last week.

“If we make the right read, he should have had it six or seven more times,” Harbison said.

It’s a case of Wages going in motion and the quarterback reading the defense to decide whether to hand the ball off or not.

“The last few weeks, it’s probably been one of our most effective plays,” Harbison said. “I like having the ball in my hands and having the chance to make plays.”

Wages previously played some running back and even junior varsity quarterback as a sophomore.

But he said he’s got plenty of room to improve as a receiver.

“I think I’ve had a pretty decent year, but I can get better,” Wages said. “I need to break my routes off better and get off guys better. But it has gotten easier to see what coverage they’re in.”

Harbison said some things just take time for receivers to develop an understanding of what the defense is trying to do.

“He’s getting better at it,” Harbison said. “It’s a craft and they have to develop it and that takes time.”

Today’s Ticket

Rogers Heritage at Springdale High

KICKOFF: 7:30 p.m.

WHERE: Jarrell Williams Bulldog Stadium, Springdale

ON THE AIR: KHEL FM-97.3, see live webcast at www.khel973.com; KAMO FM-94.3.

RECORDS: Rogers Heritage War Eagles, 4-3, 2-2 7A-West Conference; Springdale Red Bulldogs, 4-3, 2-3.

HOOTEN’S RANKING: Heritage is No. 8 in Class 7A; Springdale High is No. 9.

HOOTEN’S LINE: Springdale High by 7

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