ROGERS -- Quarterback Caleb Daniels gave Springdale Har-Ber a spark Friday night.
Daniels entered the game on the Wildcats' third series of the game and completed his first six passes for 139 yards to help the Wildcats defeat Rogers High 42-7 in the 7A-West Conference opener. Daniels threw a 46-yard pass to Kaleb Pianalto to set up the Wildcats second touchdown that upped the lead to 14-0.
THAT FIGURES
2 — Rogers missed two field goals.
7 — Har-Ber had seven plays, four rush and three pass, that covered 233 yards.
233 — Har-Ber rushed for 233 yards.
Daniels then hit Trey Smith for 48 yards to set up a touchdown that answered a Rogers touchdown and gave Har-Ber (1-3, 1-0 7A-West) a 21-7 lead in the third quarter. Daniels finished 6 of 7 passing after Trey Smith started the game under center.
"I knew I was going to run Caleb out there in the third series," said Har-Ber coach Chris Wood. "I liked the flow out there with Caleb tonight. But that doesn't mean that Trey won't get reps there because he can do some dynamic stuff there. We are going to continue to utilize those kids there as it gives us the best chance to win."
Rogers (1-3, 0-1) first three possessions started in Har-Ber territory but the Mounties failed to get a first down on their first two touches. The Mounties then lost a fumble at the Har-Ber 35 on their third possession of the game.
"Once again, too many mental mistakes," Rogers coach Shawn Flannigan said. "We couldn't get the ball moving. We got beat by a good team tonight, but we did a lot of things to beat ourselves. We didn't execute, and we have growing up to do and not a lot of time to do it."
The loss put the Mounties into a must win situation next week when they travel to Rogers Heritage. Heritage defeated Springdale High Friday and Rogers needs a victory to stay in the thick of the playoff race.
"We have work ahead of us," Flannigan said. "If we are going to have any chance of making a run to the playoffs, from here on out it is going to be us sneaking up on everybody. We are not going to be considered a contender in any game with the showing we have had the last few weeks."
PLAYER OF THE GAME: Har-Ber running back Luke Hannon rushed 12 times for 149 yards. Hannon's last three carries covered 21, 16 and 60 yards and he now has 489 yards rushing on the year. Rogers quarterback Cole Evans led the Mounties with 107 yards rushing on 20 carries and he completed four passes for 81 yards.
PLAY OF THE NIGHT: Rogers cut the Har-Ber lead to 14-7 two minutes into the second half. But Har-Ber quickly responded with a five-play, 61-yard scoring drive that was fueled by a Daniels to Smith completion that covered 48 yards and set the Wildcats up at the Rogers three.
INJURY UPDATE: Neither team had any major injuries.
NOTABLE: Rogers had just 18 yards rushing in the first half. ... Har-Ber used three quarterbacks in the game and seven different players carried the football.
UP NEXT: Rogers travels to Rogers Heritage next week while Har-Ber is at Springdale High.
Sports on 09/28/2014