Wetumpka Quarterback Nate Rogers is Unstoppable in 56-42 Win Over Stanhope Elmore Friday

By Scott Nickerson

Elmore/Autauga News

Plenty of great football players have participated in the annual showdown between Elmore County rivals Wetumpka and Stanhope Elmore. But none in recent memory have put up such eye-popping statistics and seemed so unstoppable as Wetumpka Quarterback Nate Rogers Friday night. Rogers accounted for 5 total touchdowns, and 428 total yards in the Indians win over the Mustangs. Rogers rushed for 126 yards and 2 touchdowns and threw for 302 yards and 3 touchdowns. It took every one of those scores for the Indians to secure the important Class 6A Region 2 win.

Leading 48-28 early in the 4th quarter, the Indians seemed in control, when the Mustangs mounted a furious comeback, pulling within 48-42. With three minutes remaining in the game, and momentum on the Mustangs’ side, the Indians faced a critical 3rd and 10. Rogers made yet another play, connecting on a perfectly placed deep ball that resulted in a 75-yard touchdown pass for Wetumpka, setting off a wild celebration for the home team.

On the Mustangs’ side, running back Arthur McQueen likewise had a historic night in the county’s biggest rivalry game, accounting for 350 total yards. McQueen rushed for 220 yards and 2 touchdowns. He also had 7 receptions for 120 yards.

Senior Stanhope Elmore quarterback Jacob Bryant also had a big game, passing for 200 yards and 2 touchdowns.

McQueen and Bryant struck on their first offensive drive. McQueen rushed for 73 yards on the Mustangs first offensive play, and Bryant connected with KO Jackson from 9-yards out to put the Mustangs on top early, but Wetumpka immediately answered. Rogers had his first touchdown of the night with a 6-yard rush to tie the game, and on the next drive, connected with receiver Malik Owens for a 47-yard touchdown.

The Indians’ defense then put points on the board, forcing a fumble on a sack, and Davin Lee returned the fumble for a touchdown. The Indians led 20-7 at the end of the 1st quarter.

McQueen took over for the Mustangs on the next drive, taking a screen pass 47 yards and following that up with a 29-yard touchdown rush, but unfortunately for the Mustangs, Rogers trotted back out on the field and a few plays later, had a 79-yard touchdown pass to move the Indians ahead 26-14 going into the half.

Both teams scored two touchdowns in the 3rd quarter, answering their opponent’s big plays with big plays of their own. Rogers started the scoring with an 81-yard touchdown run, and the Mustangs answered with Bryant finding receiver Jamari Coleman for a 31-yard touchdown. The Mustangs then forced a Wetumpka punt, but the Indians recovered a fumble deep in Stanhope Elmore territory, and immediately scored on a trick play. The Indians’ defense then held the Mustangs, forcing a punt. Kicker Colby Beyer had a 51-yard punt that was fumbled by the Indians and recovered in the end zone by the Mustangs for a touchdown. Heading into the final quarter, the Indians led 41-28.

Wetumpka running back Jamarion Thrasher had an 11-yard touchdown to put the Indians up 48-28 with 10 minutes remaining. But the Mustangs got hot. Freshman running back Damarrian Barnes had a 10-yard touchdown run. Kicker Colby Beyer executed a perfect onside kick that was recovered by the Mustangs, and McQueen answered less than a minute later with a 32-yard touchdown to cut the Indians lead to 48-42 with four minutes remaining.

With three timeouts remaining, the Mustangs decided to kick the ball deep to the Indians. After failing to gain positive yards on two plays, Rogers made the play of the game, connecting on a 75-yard, game clinching touchdown pass, and concluding the scoring in the 56-42 win.

Wetumpka has won four games in a row, and sits at 4-3 on the season, but are 3-1 in Class 6A Region 2. The Indians travel to Montgomery next week for another region game against Carver. With a win, the Indians would still have a shot at hosting a home playoff game.

The Mustangs have lost three games in a row. They are 2-4 on the season and 1-2 in Region 2. Stanhope Elmore will host Lanier next Friday in Millbrook, in a game that is vital to win if the Mustangs want to make the playoffs for the first time in three seasons.