Mounties earn first win of season

Rogers coach Mike Loyd said it was a combination of factors that led to the Mounties’ first victory of the season last week.

Quarterback Hunter Loyd tossed a pair of fourth-quarter touchdown passes as Rogers (1-6, 1-3 6A-West) rallied from a 1714 deficit, including one on fourth down. But a defense that has given up yardage in chunks this year buckled down and got stops.

Senior Joey Lien came up with a big blocked punt to change the momentum in the Mounties’ favor, but Loyd specifically pointed to the job senior defensive back Chris Francisco did blanketing Springdale standout receiver Ladarius Wonsley.

Francisco missed the first three games with a foot injury and is still not 100 percent healthy, but he limited Wonsley to just five catches for just 29 yards — a season-low in catches and yardage. He has 60 catches for 823 yards and 10 touchdowns for the season.

“He’s one of the better receivers in the district; he’s a difference-maker,” Loyd said. “We knew going in we had to slow him down. Chris did a great job. He’s done a good job on offense, too. He’ll make some big catches for us.”

Junior Aron Rendon has also stepped in for injured running back Sammy Zamarron and hit his stride, and sophomore Noah Goodshield has contributed, too, Loyd said.

“Rendon’s a tough kid; he’s gotten better,” Loyd said. “He’s a converted wide receiver. He’s a little tougher inside runner between the tackles, but when you miss that home-run threat with Sammy where you can go 60 or 70 yards. But Rendon’s done a good job for us.

“Goodshield started off the season as the JV quarterback, but he’s smart kid with good hands.”

The Mounties host league-leading Bentonville on Friday but now have the inside track on a playoff spot.

Rogers will likely need to beat crosstown rival Rogers Heritage on Week 10 to secure the playoff berth.