ROGERS -- Knowing that all 11 offensive starters would not be returning, Rogers High football coach Shawn Flannigan issued a lot of challenges during postseason evaluations at the end of last season for returning players to step it up a notch.

Justice Thompson accepted that challenge.

Rogers ran the ball 540 times last season, and Thompson had just one of those carries. But the Mounties' slot back is on track to get a lot more carries this fall. Thompson, who was listed on last year's roster as a defensive back, worked hard in the offseason on the practice field and in the weight room and is set to play a big role in the Mounties' triple option offense.

Thompson (5-foot-9, 175-pounds) has added more than 20 pounds of weight since last season and has a better grasp of the Mounties complex offense.

"Thompson seems very determined to put himself on the field," Flannigan said. "He is a much more physical player, and he runs well. He is a lot stronger, and it seems he has a vision for what he wants his senior year to be. Sometimes, the light just clicks on because they want the best possible experience as a senior."

Rogers' top two slot backs have graduated, and Thompson and junior Sage White are high on the depth chart as spring football hits the second week at Rogers.

"Coach Flannigan told me that I needed to set myself apart from the other slots," Thompson said. "I took that to heart. I have just worked my butt off."

Thompson has been in the triple option since his freshman season, but he said every practice is still a learning experience. Graduated slot backs Brandon Workman (918) and Ty Galyean (605) combined to rush for more than 1,500 yards last season.

"By getting more reps in practice, I am learning things that I didn't know last season," he said. "I have been getting a lot more one-on-one time with coach. It's going to be difficult to match what those guys did, but I think we can do it if we all work hard.

"This offense works really well when it is executed."

Thompson also plays lacrosse, and he said playing the sport has helped prepare him to be a better slot back. Thompson, however, didn't want to play after his mother suggested taking up the sport.

"I fought her and said, 'I don't want to go; it sounds stupid,'" Thompson said. "But at the first practice, I fell in love with it. I have been playing it since the eighth grade. It helps with football because of the cuts and hand-eye coordination. And there is a lot of running."

Rogers will end spring football next week with three days in pads. Rogers only lost eight fumbles on 540 touches last season, and Flannigan said the Mounties will continue to work on protecting the football in the run-oriented offense.

"We will get a little hitting going on the next two weeks," Flannigan said. "Ball security is the primary focus right now. We hold the players to a high expectation. When the kids get older and stronger, the kids fumble less. Hopefully, that will continue as we play a bunch of seniors again."

Sports on 05/20/2014