Hauser Filling Key Role For Rogers High Defense

ROGERS -- Brett Hauser is making the most of a second chance with the Rogers High football team and the Mounties defense is better because of it.

Hauser (6-foot, 190 pounds) didn't play football as a freshman or sophomore but he came back and has been a two-year starter with the Mounties defense while being one of the team's top tacklers.

Hauser decided to go out for football in the spring of his freshman year but he decided to give up football to give basketball a try.

"We got a new basketball coach and I wanted to focus on that," Hauser said.

Mounties football coach Shawn Flannigan said he was disappointed to see Hauser not play his sophomore season.

"Brett came out for spring ball in the spring of his freshman year and he didn't last long," Flannigan said. "He decided he didn't want to do it for what ever reason We could tell he had ability, but he didn't know anything. Maybe that frustrated him a little because it was a little bit of a mental overload."

But in the summer of 2013, Hauser decided to give football one more chance.

"I really missed it," Hauser said. "I missed hitting people."

And Hauser knew his second chance at football would be his last.

"This is what I told him, 'Everyone gets a second chance,'" Flannigan said. "I then said, 'If you quit twice, you are not welcome back.' I tell that to all the kids because at that point you are quitter."

Hauser quickly made the most of his second chance and he caught the eye of Flannigan and the Mounties coaching staff after moving to the defensive side of the football. Hauser earned a starting role at linebacker last season as the Mounties defense helped the team to its best season in seven years.

"Brett came in and made a name for himself right away," Flannigan said. "He was able to learn enough, line up correctly and run to the football. He made plays from shear ability. There is a little less to learn on defense and he was able to come in and have success faster."

Hauser said getting reacquainted with the speed of the game was a challenge at first. He had 55 tackles and two interceptions last season.

"I played offense my whole life so I had to transition into the defense," Hauser said. "The first couple of games were rough but I got more comfortable as the season went on. We only started four juniors and the seniors last year really helped me."

With a need for athletic playmakers at safety this season, Hauser switched to safety and he has fit in well at his new position. Hauser had seven tackles in the Mounties (1-1) season opening win against Siloam Springs and he totaled seven more in last weeks's loss at Claremore, Okla. Rogers is at Jefferson City, Mo. Friday night.

"Brett has tremendous athletic ability and he has good speed," Flannigan said. "This year, he has greater command of the defense, even with moving positions. Our safeties have to be really good football players. He is really the quarterback of the defense at the back end."

Hauser also took on the added role of punter after Flannigan held tryouts for the position this past offseason.

"We asked the players if you want to kick or punt to come outside," Flannigan said. "When Brett hit the ball, it had a different sound to it. So, we started working with him on his technique. He got better pretty fast, and plus he is a viable threat back there because of his athletic ability."

Hauser showed how much a threat he could be against Claremore. Sensing that the Zebras were going to block his punt attempt, Hauser raced nine yards for a first down on fourth-and-7 deep in the Mounties territory.

"I felt them coming on the edge and I knew I had the wide side of the field," Hauser said. "So, I just took it. Coach Flannigan said, 'I was lucky.' But I think I can be a threat back there if we do something extra back there."

Sports on 09/18/2014