 ROGERS MOUNTAINEERS Conference: 7A-West Head coach: Ronnie Peacock Record last year: 12-1, 7-0 Points scored, points allowed: 478-215 Playoff appearances since 1968: 6 Last playoff appearance: 2006 Playoff record: 6-6 Key returning starters: TE Jake Bryne, OG Kyle Montgomery, RB Jimmie Hicks, DE Derek Sherry, LB Bobby Pennington, LB Blaine Wilson, LR Trevor Evans, CB Brian Oller. Outlook: Coach Ronnie Peacock's wide-open offense took flight last year and the Mounties had arguably their best season ever in 2006 aside from perhaps the undefeated seasons of 1936, 1953, 1959, 1960, 1962, and 1964 in non-playoff seasons. Rogers won the 7A-West outright and were 12-0 in earning its first state championship game appearance. Once there, though, Rogers was upset by conference foe Fort Smith Southside on a late field goal. While quarterback Cody Kirby and lineman Lee Ziemba garnered much of the attention last year in their final season Rogers did play quite a few juniors. Most of them are on defense where end Derek Sherry, linebackers Bobby Pennington, Blaine Wilson, and Trevor Evans, and cornerback Brian Oller return. The defense will have to carry the team early while eight newcomers on offense gell. Jake Bryne is a Division 1-A college prospect. In addition to playing tight end, Bryne will also play defensive end. Kolby Keller and Evans are competing for the quarterback position. Comments from Peacock: "The big question about our offense is the quarterback situation. We've got two seniors fighting it out. One of them has a quick release and pretty good accuracy. The other can run ball, is very durable and maybe has a stronger arm. They offer different things. We've also got some young quarterbacks that if they continue to improve could help us. Probably from an offensive standpoint, we're going to be more balanced. The offensive line was a big question mark but I'm encouraged about them after spring practice. It's not going to be a strength like it was last year, but it will be a little more solid than I thought it would be. Defensively, if we get the right leadership, hopefully we will be a little stronger than we were last year. They didn't have to carry us last year, but I would hope the defense is stronger early until the offense gets on its feet."
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