VYPE Week 2: Rogers Rolls In New Digs

ROGERS — To go along with opening its new stadium, Rogers set off plenty of fireworks during a 44-7 win against Kansas City Westport here Friday. "We finally got fireworks," said senior Michael Tibbs, VYPE's Impact Player of the Game. While the fireworks were not lit for each touchdown or for the Mounties' entrance, which included tracks painted on the sidewalk from the indoor facility to the stadium and a train painted on one of the massive doors that even included a light. The train theme adopted in 2006 was just the start of an easy night at the ballpark for Rogers that saw starters playing less than a half after building a comfortable 44-0 first half lead. "Everybody got to play in the opening game of our new stadium and that was great," said Rogers coach Ronnie Peacock. "They all will have memories that last a lifetime." About the only thing that slowed the Mounties was a heavy downpour in the second quarter and the fact that the coaching staff pulled back the reigns on the offense after sprinting to a huge early lead. The versatile Tibbs was named the VYPE Impact Player of the Game after scoring his team's first two touchdowns. He rushed six times for 42 yards and even completed passes out of the Mounties 'Moonshine" formation, where the tailback takes direct snaps. "We spent all week preparing to run the Moonshine because we didn't get to put it out there last week (a 36-33 loss at Webb City, Mo.)," Tibbs said. "We ran a lot of option and it's a great play, especially on one of the plays where it was raining and the ball was slipping out of my hand as I pitched it. That (option) saved me there." Despite scoring the teams' first two touchdowns, Tibbs deflected credit to his teammates and said the entire team was deserving of Player of the Game honors. Indeed, quarterback Andy Couture completed 5 of 6 passes for 84 yards while passing and running for a touchdown. His scoring strike to 6-foot-2 junior Casey Caton made it 37-0 with 4:55 remaining in the first half. Junior Ethan Melton caught 3 passes for 56 yards and also returned a fumble 43 yards for a touchdown for the Mounites final tally with under a minute remaining in the first half. Junior tailback Jerrid Obenshain also shined with some nice runs and scored on a one-yarder that made it 30-0 early in the second quarter. "Melton is going to be a factor for us," Peacock said. "He's got great acceleration and catches the ball really well." Defense and special teams had hey days as well with players such as Taylor Reamer, Matt Fryuaf, DJ Smart, Caleb Hill, Max Muihead, David Beauchamp and Ben Cabel making impact plays. Beauchamp blocked a punt and Muihead made the tackle in the end zone for a safety that increased the lead to 23-0 early in the second half. The Tigers did not even cross midfield except on a botched kickoff that they recovered in Mounties territory to start the second half. While others also were deserving of player of the game honors, establishing Tibbs as a passing threat adds another dimension to the Mounties attack that defenses will have to prepare for and respect. Last season, when Tibbs took direct snaps in the Moonshine, defenses were able to load the box with as many as eight or nine defenders to stop the run. "If (Tibbs) keeps getting better, he's going to be really something," said Rogers coach Ronnie Peacock. "He did a great job throwing the ball and is a great back-up for Andy. He even pushes Andy some." Despite the lopsided score, Tibbs believes the Mounties improved. "This was a huge momentum builder," Tibbs said. "After losing close last week, we needed this to gain our confidence back." Tibbs still is not 100 percent recovered from a hamstring injury he suffered six weeks ago while competing in the national decathlon championship. "I can get started striding out about 10 yards before it slows me up." He also nursed a bruised right wrist after the game with an ice pack, but called that injury "nothing serious." Tibbs and his teammates travel to Van Buren next week for their final non-conference test before opening 7A West play Sept. 26 at Fort Smith Southside.