CLAREMORE, Okla. -- Rogers High took a step back Friday night.
A week after rushing for over 500 yards in a season opening win against Siloam Springs, the Mounties hit a road block in Claremore, Okla., as the Zebras used a pair of third quarter touchdowns to defeat the Mounties 17-14.
THAT FIGURES
1 — Rogers punted just once.
3 — Rogers lost two of three fumbles.
29 — Rogers fullback Bryan Grigsby was held to 29 yards on 13 carries a week after rushing for 446 yards on 32 carries.
The Mounties triple option offense managed 212 yards on the ground and 248 yards total. Rogers also suffered three turnovers, including losing fumbles on its first two possessions of the game. In two games, Rogers (1-1) has lost four fumbles after losing just eight in 11 games last season.
Rogers led 7-3 at halftime but the Zebras used a combination of two big pass plays and the running of Derrick Reliford to score two touchdowns in a span of just over two minutes to take command at 17-7. Reliford rushed 27 times for 117 yards, 102 of which came in the second half.
"We are not good enough to turn the ball over and expect to win games," said Rogers coach Shawn Flannigan. "We are not a good enough football team to have turnovers and expect to win. I don't think our guys were quite mentally ready to play. I think they overlooked Claremore a little bit. We will fix that and not make that mistake again."
PLAYER OF THE GAME: Rogers senior slot back Justice Thompson had seven carries for 48 yards and one touchdown and he caught a 36-yard pass on the Mounties first scoring drive of the game.
PLAY OF THE NIGHT: Claremore senior Dustin Basks moved from receiver to quarterback last week when projected starter Kaleb Hines was injured in a preseason scrimmage. But after the Zebras managed just 84 yards of offense in the first half, Basks was put back at his receiver spot when sophomore Aaron McCollough started the second half at quarterback. On the second play of the second half, Basks hauled in a pass in heavy coverage for a 37-yard gain that helped set up the first of two third quarter touchdowns that gave the Zebras a 17-7 lead. He caught a 42-yard touchdown pass on the second drive of the second half.
INJURY UPDATE: Rogers suffered no major injuries.
NOTABLE: Flannigan sported a new look Friday night with a shaved head. Flannigan, and several other Rogers teachers and students, shaved their heads or beards during a fundraiser for Mounties senior Jackson Carter. Carter is battling Leukemia and is at Children's Hospital in Little Rock. The hair cutting event raised over $3,000.
UP NEXT: Rogers travels to Jefferson City, Mo. next week for a 7 p.m. kickoff. It will be the first meeting between the two schools since 1999 and Jeff City leads the series 6-0. They played from 1994-1999 with Jeff City winning 27-7, 17-7, 26-6, 34-14, 34-14 and 20-7. The Jays defeated DeSmet Jesuit High School 34-0 Friday night.
Sports on 09/14/2014