VAN BUREN — By Walter Woodie
Special to NWA Media
VAN BUREN — On his birthday, Sean Flannigan's offense gave the Rogers High head coach a perfect birthday gift: a 56-point effort.
The Mounties seemingly needed every one of those points Friday as they held off Van Buren 56-49.
That Figures
1 — turnover in the game, a fumble lost by Rogers
2 — Trick plays that Van Buren hit Rogers for touchdowns. It is also the number of punts in the game, one by each team
10— Plays of 22 yards or more for the Rogers offense
For more than three quarters, the game was high-tempo offenses that went up and down to assault defenses for about 900 yards and 96 points. The Mounties, though, clinched the game with a time-consuming drive that took 6-1/2 minutes of the final period and put the game out of reach.
“We don't intentionally play slow. We got in a good tempo and stayed with it,” said Shawn Flannigan, Rogers High coach. “At the end, we did try to milk the clock to preserve the lead.”
The game, though, turned when Rogers, leading 21-20, got the ball with 2-1/2 minutes left in the half inside Van Buren territory. The Mounties score to take a 28-20 lead at halftime and then scored to open the second half, building a commanding 35-20 lead.
“Getting the score before half was huge, and I told the team that was a big momentum play. I said we were going to go out and score on the opening drive (of the third quarter) to get up two scores. From there, we would be alright,” Flannigan said.
Play of the Night: With a fourth-and-three at the Van Buren 23 and clinging to a 49-47 lead with 4:32 left, the Mounties eschewed a field-goal attempt and went for the first down. Ty Galyean just got the three yards needed to move the chains and keep the drive alive. Rogers would score four plays and three minutes later to clinch the game.
Injury Update: Starting fullback Preston Young did not play against Van Buren and his status for Bentonville is unknown. Reserve fullback Austin Pinkerton cramped up in the first half and did not play in the second half. Quarterback Nick Wary hurt his leg in the final drive in the fourth quarter but returned to score the game-clinching touchdown. He should play against the Tigers.
Player of the Game: Galyean showed his versatility in gaining 183 yards and scoring four touchdowns. Galyean started the game at slotback and gained 32 yards on three carries and a touchdown in the first half. He moved to fullback in the second half and had 151 yards and three scores.
“Galyean played fullback last year, so he knows the position well,” Flannigan said. “(Pinkerton) got cramps and was not able to play in the second half, but Galyean came in and played well.”
Notable: Van Buren ran more plays than Rogers (74-58), yet the Mounties outgained the Pointers (504-395) … Rogers did throw three passes, completing two for 39 yards … The wins against Springdale and Van Buren put Rogers in position for a playoff berth, the school's first since 2006.
The Lingo: “I'm getting tired of games like this, but it's fun for the fans, TV and newspapers. Our offensive is performing very well. Your offense has to be able to score to win, and your defense has to make enough stops to win. We lacked a bit in getting stops, but we got stops when we needed them.”
— Shawn Flannigan,
Rogers High coach, on the Mounties surviving another high scoring shootout in 7A/6A-West
Up Next: Rogers High will host top-ranked Bentonville (5-0, 2-0).