7a-West

McWhorter helps Rogers top Heritage

Colin McWhorter (4) of Rogers runs away from the Rogers Heritage defense for a long gain Friday during the Mountaineers’ 43-33 victory over the War Eagles at Whitey Smith Stadium in Rogers.
Colin McWhorter (4) of Rogers runs away from the Rogers Heritage defense for a long gain Friday during the Mountaineers’ 43-33 victory over the War Eagles at Whitey Smith Stadium in Rogers.

ROGERS -- Senior Colin McWhorter leaped into the end zone with just under two minutes left in the fourth quarter and this time, Rogers Heritage had no answer as the Rogers Mounties walked away with a 43-33 win at Whitey Smith Stadium Friday night.

McWhorter accounted for more than 150 yards of offense and scored three touchdowns to help the Mounties hold on for the win in the slugfest that included 20 penalties.

Rogers Coach Mike Loyd said McWhorter, a team captain, sets the pace for the Mounties (4-1, 1-1 7A-West), and he made big plays at key times.

"We kinda go as he goes," Loyd said. "That's why he's our captain. He's got that stuff in his neck, that 'it' factor. He makes plays. We talk about competitive greatness. What do you do when your team really needs it? And you elevate the players around you. Colin McWhorter does that."

[HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL SCOREBOARD: Live updates and scores from tonight’s games]

Loyd wasn't surprised that Heritage (0-5, 0-2) gave his team all it could handle.

"They've got a good offensive football team," Loyd said. "We made stops when we needed to. You don't win on just offense."

Rogers got a big momentum swing when senior Jacob Taylor intercepted a Trey Kitterman pass and returned it 72 yards for a touchdown early in the third quarter for a 22-13 Mounties lead.

Heritage Coach Tony Travis said that was a big blow, but his team continued to fight.

"We couldn't make enough plays down the stretch," Travis said. "We needed a stop and another score to get a lead and put some pressure on them a little bit and never could do that."

McWhorter ran for 97 yards on 15 carries and three touchdowns. He added seven catches for 62.

Heritage picked up most of its yardage on the ground thanks to Kitterman and running back Dylan Qualls. Kitterman finished with 135 yards on 14 carries and scored three touchdowns. He also threw for 89 yards, but was intercepted twice. Qualls rushed for 209 yards on 23 carries and scored twice.

Rogers took a 15-13 halftime lead thanks to a big two-point conversion stop by the Mounties late in the second quarter.

Kitterman threw an incomplete pass on the try, but Heritage got another chance when Rogers was flagged for a late hit. The Mounties then tackled Kitterman short of the goal line to keep the lead.

Sports on 09/30/2017

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