Van Buren, Rogers begin playoff mode in October

The playoffs start almost a month earlier than scheduled for Rogers and Van Buren. “That’s how we’re approaching it, two similar teams and the winner probably gets in more than likely,” Rogers head coach Mike Loyd said. “It’s a big game for both football teams.” The Pointers host the Mountaineers on Friday night. “It’s a must-win, and we’ve got to get this one,” Van Buren head coach Greg Werner said. “If we don’t get this one, we’re kind of out of the loop. This one is going to be crucial.” Rogers defeated Rogers Heritage, 43-33, for its only 7A-West win two weeks ago. Heritage beat Van Buren, 29-28 in overtime for its only conference win last week. If Rogers wins on Friday night, the Mountaineers are likely the sixth and final 7A-West playoff participant. If Van Buren wins, that would force a three-way tie for the sixth and final spot although three weeks will still remain in the regular season. “We still have some goals ahead of us that we can be a part of,” Werner said. “We’ve just got to get over the hump, execute and make plays and put ourselves in position.” Rogers is led by Hunter Loyd, the coach’s son who is just a sophomore. “The quarterback is young, but he’s awfully talented,” Werner said. “He’s got a cannon.” Loyd has thrown for 1,267 yards, which trails only the more-known quarterbacks in the conference of Fayetteville’s Darius Bowers, Springdale Har-Ber’s Grant Allen and Bentonville West’s Will Jarrett. Not helping Van Buren’s causes is the loss of cornerback Ethan Harris. “We lost one of our corners, so we’re going into an airshow with a backup corner,” Werner said. “That’s part of the game. They’re going to put it up a bunch.” Rogers’ Colin McWhorter has made 47 catches for 534 yards and a touchdown, and is just another one of the top receivers in the conference. “He runs great routes and gets open,” Werner said. “We’ve seen a lot of good ones.” Van Buren is coming off a season-high 430-yard outing in the overtime loss to Heritage. “We’ve done a lot of good things and made some plays,” Werner said. “It’s just the ability to make at the right time. We’re not dead yet. The kids are still fighting.” Walter Green, who wears No. 23, ran for 192 yards and three scores last week. “The tailback is as good a player in the entire district,” said Loyd, who coached Northeastern Oklahoma A&M to the 1991 national championship. “To me, he’s the best running back. I had three NFL tailbacks over there at NEO when we were winning national championships. He’s a solid guy and a great player.” Van Buren’s defense is led by Jayden Mendez, who wears No. 51. “They’ve got a defensive lineman that could start for any team in our league,” Loyd said. ”(Nos.) 23 and 51 really jump out at me, being a guy that’s been a head coach for 31 years in high school and college, (No.) 23 is as good as any player in the state as a running back.”

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Van Buren High School Athletics

VAN BUREN, ROGERS BEGIN PLAYOFF MODE IN OCTOBER

LELAND BARCLAY

Times Record | 10/13/2017

PHOTO CREDIT: Aaron Shaffer