Football: Mounties make progress

ROGERS -- Rogers High kept it simple during spring football workouts as the Mounties look to fill several big holes left by graduation.

The Mounties may look to pass the ball more this fall while putting emphasis on eliminating turnovers after going 2-8 last season

Rogers High Mountaineers

Date^Opponent^Time

Sept. 4^at Siloam Springs^7 p.m.

Sept. 11^Claremore, Okla.^7 p.m.

Sept. 18^Jefferson City, Mo.#^7 p.m.

Sept. 25^at Springdale Har-Ber*^7 p.m.

Oct. 2^Rogers Heritage*^7 p.m.

Oct. 9^at Fort Smith Southside*^7 p.m.

Oct. 16^at Fort Smith Northside*^7 p.m.

Oct. 23^Bentonville*^7 p.m.

Oct. 30^Fayetteville*^7 p.m.

Nov. 6^at Springdale High*^7 p.m. #Homecoming

*7A-West Conference game

"We have just a small part of our package in right now and we have just focused on two run plays and three pass plays all spring," Rogers coach Shawn Flannigan said. "We are taking the approach that we want to be very, very good in just a few things in the beginning and go from there.

"We made some good progress offensively and we found where are strengths are going to be in individual positions."

Rogers was minus-19 in turnover margin during a 2014 season that saw the Mounties lose several close 7A-West Conference games. Flannigan said ball security is always emphasized at practice.

"It's funny how that comes in waves," Flannigan said. "Two years ago, we lost three fumbles all year and last year we averaged about three giveaways a game. It's the same drills and the same emphasis. We are hoping that with the guys we have that turnovers will be dramatically reduced."

One of the biggest holes on offense is at fullback where Bryan Grigsby graduated after being one of the leading rushers in the 7A-West Conference last season. Christian Brummett (5-foot-9, 175 pounds) is the leading top prospect at fullback after one player moved away and another opted to not play football this season.

"Brummett is a different type of runner, he is very shifty, very quick and very good in a small box of space," Flannigan said. "He will bring a different element to our running game."

Rising senior Joseph Sultemeier and rising juniors Max Horton and Grayson Lee are the top three quarterback candidates. Sultemeier (6-0, 204) split time under center last season. Horton did not play as a sophomore and could also figure on the defensive side of the football.

"Max is a good addition," Flannigan said. "He is learning a lot of things and he is still trying to figure it out. It is going to be exciting to see how it all shakes out between now and August."

Rogers is also looking to replace its entire defensive line and two linebackers. Rising senior Daniel Salvador was expected to anchor the defensive line but he suffered a knee injury playing basketball and will miss the entire season.

"We have a lot of guys we are looking at," Flannigan said. "Joseph or Max, who ever is not the quarterback, one of those guys could end up over there at linebacker. We feel pretty good about our first core of linebackers. They are guys with experience that have played before."

Sports on 05/27/2015

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