ROGERS -- The backfield will definitely look different for Rogers Heritage this season.

Gone are a three-year starter at quarterback and two-year starter at running back. But War Eagles coach Perry Escalante believes he will have a playmaker there this season, too.

"We've been very fortunate the last six years really," Escalante said. "Two quarterbacks, both very good and both went on to play at the next level. Running backs, too, with Zac Stewart and Brandon Gates."

Joey Saucier moves from receiver to running back to replace the hard-running Gates, who racked up a single-season school record of 1,647 yards a year ago on the ground.

Saucier will present a different style than Gates, who relied on power. Instead the 5-foot-11, 194-pound senior, who has already received a scholarship offer from Air Force, gives the War Eagles a big-play threat with his speed.

"Running back's not an issue," Escalante said. "Joey will do great. He's different from Gates. Where Gates would just drag people, Joey's explosive and can be gone."

Saucier accounted for more than 1,000 yards of total offense and 11 touchdowns a year ago, including 793 on 44 receptions. That's an average of more than 18 yards per catch. He also racked up more than 600 yards in kickoff and punt returns, including two touchdowns.

Junior Cameron Moss (5-6, 177) will serve as the backup but could also get several carries since Saucier will also line up at times at receiver. Senior Damian Gonzalez (5-10, 193) will start at linebacker but also will play some in the backfield in certain situations.

The War Eagles will also line up at times in a two-back set, and when that happens, senior Dylan Wright (5-10, 196) will play at fullback.

Heritage offensive coordinator Darren Hotelling said Wright showed some versatility in spring ball of being more than just a blocker.

"We found out he can catch the football, and he'll help open things up some on our play-action and bootlegs," Hotelling said.

The quarterback position is not nearly as cut and dry. Sophomores Joe Britton (6-0, 177) and Luke Heiligenthal (5-10, 177) are battling with junior Jake Qualls (6-0, 185) and Joel Brackett (6-0, 182) for the starting spot. Escalante said he and Hotelling have talked about utilizing more than one quarterback during the season.

However it ends up Escalante acknowledged Heritage quarterbacks will need to be multidimensional.

"We're still spread, and we'll still throw it but we're asking them to do some different things," Escalante said. "We're asking them to run the football."

Britton and Brackett showed some big-play ability running the ball in the spring, while all four got plenty of reps during 7-on-7 this summer.

"We've talked to coaching friends about using a quarterback rotation, so we'll have to see," Escalante said. "It could be two quarterbacks or three quarterbacks."

Sports on 08/12/2014