Opposing defenses look to have a tough time catching their breath this fall against Silverdale Baptist Academy's fast-and-furious attack.
The Seahawks have wasted no time finding a groove with a new signal caller in junior Brett Rogers to go with the expertise of first-year offensive coordinator Jake Ledbetter - a former star left-handed quarterback at Red Bank High School. Through their first three games this season second-year coach Mike Connor's program has averaged 40 points per game and is 3-0 coming off a breakthrough 45-31 win over Division II-AA East region rival Chattanooga Christian.
Rogers, a dual threat athlete, was sensational in the win, throwing for 278 yards on 13 completions, rushing 20 times for another 199 yards and also had a 76-yard touchdown reception from Turner Junkins on a trick play. Rogers' 553 total yards of offense were the most by an area quarterback since Walker Valley's Kolten Gibson accounted for 626 yards in a loss to Stone Memorial in 2017.
That effort has earned Rogers Times Free Press Player of the Week honors.
"I love this offense because the defense doesn't have time to get lined up or they are exhausted from us going fast all night," Rogers said. "We are used to it because we practice this way. We recognize when the defense has their hands on their hips and we pour even more on. I give credit to the guys who play both ways for us, especially our line. They are relentless and play fast with effort all night."
Silverdale's well-balanced offense totaled 665 yards on 75 plays and stepped up in big moments to convert 10-of-16 combined third and fourth down situations. Cameron Mullins moved the chains often as he caught big passes over the middle to sustain scoring drives.
Staff photo by Patrick MacCoon / Silverdale Baptist quarterback Brett Rogers runs over a defender in Friday's 45-31 home region victory over Chattanooga Christian."Coach Connor always says you don't rise to the occasion, you rise to your level of training and our training has paid off so far this season," said Rogers, who has accounted for 12 touchdowns so far this season and is averaging 300 total yards per game. "Our receivers made outstanding plays all night and our line gave me great time to make plays."
There looks to be no easy way to contain Silverdale's offense this season. Senior all-state running back Connor Delashmitt is off to a great start too with 429 rushing yards.
"The coaches believed in us from the get-go and now we believe in each other," said Rogers, who was an all-state player for Lance Rorex's baseball program last spring. "You see this moving throughout the community and everyone's starting to believe. This team's goal is to write a winning story that leaves a lasting and impactful legacy beyond the lines of the football field. I have learned to be a leader, level-headed and how to encourage my teammates. We are excited and ready to keep working hard."
Contact Patrick MacCoon at pmaccoon@timesfreepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @PMacCoon.