ROGERS -- Joel Brackett admitted he wasn't sure he could play quarterback in the 7A-West Conference before the season started.
The 6-foot, 182-pound junior not only became the starting signal-caller, but led Rogers Heritage back to the playoffs. The War Eagles (3-7) will travel to central Arkansas to face Little Rock Central (6-4) tonight in Quigley-Cox Stadium.
Rogers Heritage at Little Rock Central
Verizon Field at Earl Quigley-Bernie Cox Stadium, Little Rock
• Kickoff: 7 p.m.
• Records: Rogers Heritage 3-7. Little Rock Central 6-4.
• On The Air: KHEL-FM 97-3.
• Between The Lines: Central led North Little Rock 22-14 at halftime before losing 59-22 to the Charging Wildcats in the regular-season finale. … Tigers running back Richard Hayes suffered a season-ending knee injury in last week’s game. … Central’s 34-33 win over Fayetteville a year ago in the playoffs was the Tigers’ first since 2004. … Heritage returns to Little Rock for a first-round playoff game, after losing at North Little Rock a year ago. … Senior running back Joey Saucier has rushed for 1,057 yards and nine touchdowns, depsite missing two games because of injuries.
• Players To Watch: Rogers Heritage, RB Joey Saucier (Sr., 6-0, 194), RB/LB Tim Cole (Sr., 5-10, 178), PK/P Eric Grom (Sr., 6-0, 153), QB Joel Brackett (Jr., 6-0, 200), LB Garrett Sheetz (Jr., 6-0, 182), S Joe Britton (Soph., 6-0, 190). Little Rock Central, LB/RB Malcolm Williams (Sr., 5-10, 235), QB Cooper Westbrook (Sr., 6-2, 220), WR Hayden McCarty (Sr., 5-10, 155 ), TE Tom Coulter (Sr., 6-0, 175).
• Hooten’s Ranking: Heritage is No. 12 and Central is No. 8.
• Hootens Pick: Central by 7.
• Our Take: Little Rock Central 28, Rogers Heritage 14.
— Paul Boyd• @NWAPaulB
"Oh, I didn't think I could actually do it in a real situation," said Brackett, who played linebacker as a sophomore. "But I'm proud of where I came.It's still a nerve-racking. It's a pressure-filled position. But I'm taking it on a lot better than I did in the beginning.
"I think I've come a long way just reading defenses and seeing the open guys. It may sound pretty simple, but it's taken a while to get there."
It may sound simple, but the reality is different on Friday night especially playing quarterback, Heritage offensive coordinator Darren Hotelling said.
"That first week I think it all hit him at once," Hotelling said. "He's been under a microscope because he's the guy. If the left tackle misses a block, not everybody sees that. But it's different with the quarterback. I'm really proud of what he's done. He's steadily made improvement. There were some routes he just couldn't complete in August. But he can complete those throws now.
"It's been exciting for me to see him improve. It's been a journey for him I think."
Heritage was searching for a replacement at quarterback, after Josh Qualls, a three-year starter at the position, graduated. Heritage coach Perry Escalante told Hotelling he wanted more of a dual-threat quarterback rather than a pocket passer and the athletic, strong Brackett fit the bill.
Brackett made big plays in each of Heritage's wins. He broke a 61-yard touchdown run in the second half in the War Eagles' 7-6 win over Russellville. That also came in a game the War Eagles' didn't have standout running back Joey Saucier because of an injury.
He enjoyed his best overall game in Heritage's win over Springdale rolling up 235 yards of total offense, running for a touchdown and throwing for another. Brackett also scored on a keeper in the final minute to knock off cross-town rival Rogers High.
He put the ball in Saucier's belly, but pulled it out at the last second and ran untouched around the left end for the go-ahead score.
Hotelling said he and Brackett talk after each game, focusing on the positives.
"We get together every Friday night after the game and haven't dwelled on the mistakes," Hotelling said. "We've just tried to move forward and I hope that's helped him some. I'm really proud of what he's done. He's a young man with great character and has worked very hard to get better."
Sports on 11/14/2014