Big shoes to fill

Rogers High lost its alltime leading passer and receiver to graduation, but Mounties coach Mike Loyd said it’s someone else’s turn now to step the forefront.

Senior Chris Francisco will start at quarterback, replacing Hunter Loyd, a three-year starter who threw for more than 7,000 yards and 70 touchdowns. Loyd will rely on a group of talented receivers in place of Mason Ross, who finished with more than 100 receptions and 1,300 yards last season.

“The thing the kids have to understand is they have to come out here and be who they are and do what they do,” Loyd said.

Francisco may not be the same type of quarterback as Loyd, but he has to get comfortable with what he does well, Loyd said. He played some on both sides of the ball last year, starting in the secondary and some at receiver.

“Francisco’s a good leader, a very intelligent young man,” Loyd said. “He’s got a good arm, can make the throws, pretty mobile young man. But you’ve got to enjoy the process. It’s his time. He and I visited about that a little bit. You’re Chris Francisco. You’re not this guy or that guy. Be you.”

Juniors Finley Bunch, Noah Goodshield, Kade Seldomridge and Joel Garner, along with senior Gavin Pitts should all figure in at receiver spots. Senior Aron Rendon and junior Josh Shepard will play running back.

“It’s gonna be more than five or six different guys at receiver,” Loyd said. “I threw the Bunch kid in as a sophomore and Goodshield. Joel Garner’s gonna be a stud as a tight end or inside receiver. Pitts is a guy who has to step up as a senior. He’s a guy who can run. Kade Seldomridge is one who’s very impressive to me right now.”