La Salle Defense Carries the Day in Win Over Rogers

The Rogers High School Vikings battled against the La Salle Academy Rams in their opening game at home Friday night, but fell short, losing 14-6.

The Rams' defense proved to be the deciding force in the game, allowing only the one touchdown to the Vikings.

"We need to be better up front," said Rogers head coach Frank Newsome. "We gotta coach better, communicate better and run better, too."

Vikings quarterback, junior Cody Platt, in for injured senior Daniel Jackson, did a good job in his first game as starting quarterback. During the Vikings' fourth drive, Platt threw his first big completion, a 30-yard pass to wide receiver Trevor Morgera.

"It felt great. I've been waiting for a long time," said Platt. "I felt nervous at first, but I got over it."

According to Coach Newsome, Jackson tore the ACL in his knee and will be out for the season.

The Vikings struck first in the game on an impressive 51-yard run by senior Christian Savage. The field goal attempt by senior Damion Rodrigo was just a bit outside.

La Salle quarterback, sophomore Anthony Francis, led the offense for the Rams, scoring their first touchdown on a 12-yard-run. The touchdown by Francis was the third play in a row in which he ran for a significant gain.

At the half, the score was 7-6 Rams and a ratio of 11 penalties against the Rams versus 3 against the Vikings helped keep the score close. The penalties continued in the second half, but each team received an equal amount.

The Rams switched quarterbacks in the fourth quarter, bringing in team captain Zane Wolfgang. Behind Wolfgang, the team scored on their first drive of the quarter. Kicker Peter Picerelli followed that up with a successful field goal, his second of the night. Picerelli also made a few impressively deep punts.

"We're using a two quarterback system. One passes better and one runs better. Zane came in and jumpstarted the offensive," said Rams coach
Geoff Marcone.

Quarterback Anthony Francis ran the ball well, racking up the majority of rushing yards for his team in the first three quarters. The strategy of the two quarterback system served the Rams well as it helped them to overcome the Viking's imposing defense. The Rams did not complete a first down until their fifth drive of the game.

The Rams defense was also strong in the game, but the Vikings did break through their wall a few times. With only three minutes left in the game, the Vikings made one last attempt at a comeback. On fourth and nine, quarterback Cody Platt hit wide receiver Trevor Morgera with a bullet for a 26-yard-gain and a first-down. Rams senior Joshua Morris picked off the very next toss by Platt ending the Vikings hopes of a late game rally.

"They play hard and challenged us. We knew coming in this was going to be a fight," said Coach Marcone.