ROGERS -- The biggest hole on the Rogers High defense was left when safety Zack Wary graduated and went to play college football at Wake Forest. The other safety spot was also lost to graduation but the Mounties have dipped into their linebackers to fill the two voids
Brett Hauser (6-foot, 182 pounds) was part of a strong linebacker corps last season as a starter and the senior has made the switch to safety where he will join classmate Liam Quesada (6-0, 162) at the back end of the Rogers defense, which ranked second in the 7A-West Conference last season.
The Skinny
Position Battle: Secondary
Watch Out For: Junior Tony Roller. … Roller steps in as a starter at one corner after playing well in junior varsity games last season. Had a strong track season and is athletic.
Biggest Strength: Brett Hauser. … Hauser moved from outside linebacker to safety after being one of the Mounties top tacklers last season. Is also a team leader on defense.
Biggest Question: Experience. … Only Hauser and cornerback Jay Young have extensive varsity experience. Rogers must stay healthy in the back end of the defense.
"We felt that we needed their versatility that they have, the speed that they have at the safety position," said Rogers secondary coach Alan Rettman. "If we didn't do this, we would have had to play a lot of young kids. All of our kids in the secondary are 4.9 or better and while that is not great speed, it still is adequate speed for high school kids."
Hauser was the fifth leading tackler last year with 55 stops. He had three tackles for losses, two interceptions and one sack.
"Hauser has just stepped in and he hasn't had very much trouble at all," Rettman said. "It hasn't been a big transition because he knows the defense. It just has been a matter of teaching them to be better against the pass. Brett has already become a leader. Because of his physical ability, the kids look up to him."
Jay Young saw extensive playing time last season at safety when Wary was hurt and the 5-8, 160 pound junior had 31 tackles. But with Hauser joining the secondary and Quesada taking another safety spot, Young has been moved to defensive back.
"Jay is the only returner and we have put him back over at corner," Rettman said. "We also had another senior safety get hurt last year so he ended up playing quite a bit. Jay has the most experience as anyone returning."
Junior Tony Roller (6-0, 155) will be at the other corner after seeing playing time in sophomore and junior varsity games last season. Roller also had a strong track season by posting one of the best times in the area in the 110 hurdles.
"Tony gave us a lot in junior varsity games last season," Rettman said. "He is one of the tallest corners I have played because we usually play smaller corners. I like his height because it gives us a chance to match up a little better. Tony is a good athlete. He had a good season in track and he had a good summer for us.
"I'm glad we have him over there."
Junior Bradley Brown (5-6, 163) is expected to be a key backup at corner. Junior Zach Hull (5-9, 152) and sophomore Joel Carrasco (5-10, 154) are backups at safety.
"Brown understands the concepts we are teaching, he just needs experience," Rettman said. "Brown will give us some help. We have been pleased with Hull the past two weeks. We like the speed and physicality that Joel has. He will end up being a starter next year as the two guys in front of him are seniors."
Sports on 08/28/2014