Flannigan Runs Rogers Back To Playoffs

Big 7 Football Coach of the Year Shawn Flannigan from Rogers High.
Big 7 Football Coach of the Year Shawn Flannigan from Rogers High.

ROGERS - Shawn Flannigan’s first season at Rogers High was an eye-opener.

Rogers finished the 2010 season with an 0-10 record as the Mounties winless streak grew to 18 games, and Flannigan knew the Mounties had to do something diff erent - and unique - to become competitive again in the 7A/6A-West Conference.

“We had to fi nd something where we could have positive success moving the football,” Flannigan said.

The Rogers staff huddled in the offseason and narrowed the list of off enses that would best suit the Mounties personnel to fi ve. That list eventually became one, and the learning process of the triple option began forboth coaches and players.

“We settled on the Flex Bone, and started there,” Flannigan said. “Because of our system, we can play under-sized lineman and be successful.”

Rogers steadily made improvements in 2011 and 2012 and this past season the Mounties’ triple option was nearly unstoppable during alast season run that saw the school qualify for the playoffs for consecutive seasons for the first time in over four decades.

The Mounties off ense averaged 7.1 yards a carry and rushed for 3,842 yards and 45 touchdowns before ending the season with a controversial loss to Fort Smith Southside in the first round of the Class 7A Playoffs. Along the way, Rogers (7-4) had to defeat Springdale Har-Ber, Siloam Springs and Rogers Heritage the final three weeks to extend the season to the playoff s.

For his efforts, Flannigan is the All-NWA Media Big 7 Coach of the Year.

The switch from the pass to the run was a big change for Rogers, but it allowed the Mounties to do a lot more with less.

“We had to sell our kids on it, and that is when we showed the video clips of Navy, Air Force and Georgia Tech,” Flannigan said. “We showed them the success those teams have had. The year before we had been the nail, but we wanted to be the hammer and be more physical.

“The kids have bought into it, and we have kids that thrive in this offense that would not see the field for any other team in our conference.”

Behind a senior class with three years experience in the offense and backed by a senior offensive line, the Mounties had fi ve players rush for more than 500 yards, led by slotback Brandon Workman, who rushedfor 918 yards while averaging 12.8 yards a carry.

After settling on the triple option, Flannigan brought in Harding University fullback coach Kenny Wheaton to teach the new offense to the Mounties staff . Wheaton, who also does consulting work with schools all over thecountry, spent about 20 hours over three days teaching the offense before the 2011 season.

“It took us a while to digest everything,” Flannigan said. “But we have him on speed dial and we called him a lot that first spring and summer.”

Wheaton, who has coached at the high school and college levels for 35 years, said he is not surprisedby the Mounties’ success.

“It takes coaches taking a leap of faith because you don’t throw the ball,” Wheaton said. “I’m really proud of what they have done at Rogers. The coaches up there have really worked at it, and they have a good grasp of it. You don’t have to be overly talented to be successful. It gives you a chance.”

Sports, Pages 8 on 12/29/2013

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