Wolfe scores twice as Bentonville survives late Rogers rally

Bentonville 28, Rogers 23

BENTONVILLE — Garrett Wolfe rushed for two touchdowns and intercepted a two-point conversion pass as Bentonville held off Rogers 28-23 Friday night at Tiger Stadium.

Braxton Rupert recovered the ensuing onside kick to secure the victory after a late special-teams touchdown gave Rogers one last chance. The Tigers had erased a 10-7 halftime deficit with two third-quarter touchdowns, then needed another scoring run and two late defensive plays to finish.

Neither team scored in the first quarter. Bentonville broke through with 10:32 remaining in the second when Wolfe scored on a 2-yard fullback trap on fourth-and-1. Evan Canode had connected with Ricky Brown near the goal line on the preceding third-down play. Porter Fertig kicked the extra point for a 7-0 lead.

Rogers answered after Rylan Fecht intercepted Canode and gave the Mounties possession at the Bentonville 24. Rupert recorded a sack during the ensuing series, but Rogers kept the possession alive and Xander Burke ran for a touchdown with 2:45 remaining. Juan Chaparro added the tying extra point.

The Mounties moved in front before halftime. An apparent touchdown pass was wiped out by a holding penalty, but Chaparro salvaged the possession with a 39-yard field goal with 14 seconds remaining. Rogers took a 10-7 lead into the break.

Wolfe put Bentonville back ahead in the third quarter. Taking a handoff from Canode out of a power formation, he cut through the defense for a 10-yard touchdown with 5:24 remaining. Fertig’s kick made it 14-10.

Canode then found Will Genglebach on a deep pass. Genglebach broke a tackle and finished a 61-yard touchdown play with 1:48 left in the quarter. Fertig converted again, extending the advantage to 21-10.

Rogers responded early in the fourth. Connor Wilken found Cooper McIntosh on fourth down for a completion to the Bentonville 1, then threw a 1-yard touchdown pass to LeShaun Gochett. Chaparro’s kick brought the Mounties within 21-17 with 11:20 remaining.

Bentonville regained breathing room on a drive that included a 15-yard third-down run by Nathan Clouston. Stephen Schafer finished with a 12-yard touchdown run on third-and-4, pushing through tackles on his way to the end zone. Fertig’s fourth extra point made it 28-17 with 3:33 left.

Jeremiah Chavis intercepted a fourth-down pass on Rogers’ next possession, but the Mounties were not finished. A high snap sailed over Fertig’s head on a late punt attempt, and Rogers came away with a touchdown to cut the deficit to 28-23 with 42 seconds remaining.

Wolfe intercepted the two-point pass to preserve the five-point margin. Rupert then covered Chaparro’s onside kick, allowing Bentonville to kneel out the remaining time.

Scoring summary

Second quarter

10:32 — Bentonville: Garrett Wolfe 2-yard run (Porter Fertig kick). Bentonville 7-0.

2:45 — Rogers: Xander Burke run (Juan Chaparro kick). Tied 7-7.

0:14 — Rogers: Juan Chaparro 39-yard field goal. Rogers 10-7.

Third quarter

5:24 — Bentonville: Garrett Wolfe 10-yard run (Porter Fertig kick). Bentonville 14-10.

1:48 — Bentonville: Will Genglebach 61-yard pass from Evan Canode (Porter Fertig kick). Bentonville 21-10.

Fourth quarter

11:20 — Rogers: LeShaun Gochett 1-yard pass from Connor Wilken (Juan Chaparro kick). Bentonville 21-17.

3:33 — Bentonville: Stephen Schafer 12-yard run (Porter Fertig kick). Bentonville 28-17.

Players who stood out

Garrett Wolfe, Bentonville — Touchdown runs of 2 and 10 yards; intercepted Rogers’ late two-point conversion pass.

Will Genglebach, Bentonville — A 61-yard touchdown reception from Evan Canode.

Evan Canode, Bentonville — Threw the 61-yard touchdown pass to Genglebach.

Stephen Schafer, Bentonville — A 12-yard touchdown run with 3:33 remaining.

Braxton Rupert, Bentonville — A second-quarter sack and the game-sealing onside-kick recovery.

Jeremiah Chavis, Bentonville — Fourth-quarter interception on fourth down.

Porter Fertig, Bentonville — Four successful extra points.

Nathan Clouston, Bentonville — A 15-yard third-down run on the final touchdown drive.

Xander Burke, Rogers — Second-quarter rushing touchdown.

LeShaun Gochett and Connor Wilken, Rogers — Connected for a 1-yard fourth-quarter touchdown.

Cooper McIntosh, Rogers — Fourth-down catch to the Bentonville 1 set up Gochett’s touchdown.

Rylan Fecht, Rogers — Interception that set up the Mounties’ first touchdown.

Juan Chaparro, Rogers — A 39-yard field goal and two extra points.