ROGERS — What if?
That’s a question that is probably asked often around the football fieldhouse at Rogers High.
For the first time since 2006, the Mounties’ season extended past the regular season, and the team posted a winning record (6-5) for the first time since 2007.
Rogers won its first five games of the season and it looked ready to challenge the traditional powers in the 7A/6A-West Conference. But the Mounties’ season was quickly derailed by a rash of injuries that at one point had 80 percent of their offensive output dressed in street clothes.
At one point in the season, Rogers played its fourth string quarterback and third string fullback. There were also injuries at slot back and on the offensive line.
Rogers won just one of its last six games and the season ended with a 42-6 loss to Conway in the first round of the Class 7A playoffs.
Despite the rash of key injuries, third-year Mounties coach Shawn Flannigan said the program is headed in the right direction. Hooten’s Arkansas Football has Flannigan as a finalist for Class 7A/6A Coach of the Year.
“It was a definite improvement from two seasons ago to be able to go compete with people,” Flannigan said. “At least our opponents have to prepare for us and we cause them concern. Two years ago, that was not the case and if opposing coaches were honest about it, they would say that, too.”
Graduation will take its toll on a run-oriented offense that averaged 6.5 yards a carry, but there are players returning that should be able to step in. Rogers will have to replace quarterback Nick Wary, a three-year starter who rushed for almost 1,200 yards despite missing three games.
Backup quarterback Max Harrell suffered an elbow injury against Rogers Heritage, but the junior will bring starting experience next fall.
Slot back Ty Galyean, who played some quarterback this season, rushed for 763 yards on 89 carries, and the junior will also get a look at quarterback.
Fullback Preston Young rushed for 410 yards before being lost for the year with an early season knee injury, but the junior should be at full speed for August practice. Running backs Brandon Workman and Austin Pinkerton will also be back as will offensive linemen Bryce Bray and Austin Hughes.
“There is definitely good positives coming back, offensively,” Flannigan said. “We just need to fill in the other pieces with players that want to step up.”
Rogers will also have to replace four seniors at linebacker, but the Mounties will return defensive linemen Zane Bush and Alex McClung. McClung had 38 tackles and 7.5 sacks while Bush had 31 tackles and 1.5 sacks.
“That is the most tackles by two defensive linemen I've had in quite some time, and the most of any I've had in the last three years,” Rogers defensive line coach Mike Bush said. “Both contributed in different ways. Alex was more effective on speed rushes in passing situations and rushes outside the box where we stretched the defense horizontally.
“Zane was a much better run stopper on the inside rush and frequently was being asked to stop double and even triple teams, which he did very successfully.”
Rogers High Mounties
Date Opponent Time/Result
Aug. 31 at Mountain Home W, 37-13
Sept. 7 Tahlequah, Okla. W, 45-13
Sept. 14 at Fort Smith Northside W, 64, 28
Sept. 21 Springdale High* W, 47-42
Sept. 28 at Van Buren* W, 56-47
Oct. 5 Bentonville* L, 35-6
Oct. 12 Fayetteville* L, 29-0
Oct. 19 at Springdale Har-Ber* L, 37-7
Oct. 26 Siloam Springs* W, 34-21
Nov. 2 at Rogers Heritage* L, 41-28
Nov. 9 at Conway L, 42-6
"*" denotes 7A/6A-West Conference games
— State playoff game