Rivalry Week: Rogers vs. Elk River
Rivalry History: Photo via: @MSHSLjohn on Twitter Tonight will be the 10th meeting all time between cross town rivals Rogers and Elk River. The two high schools are only separated by 8.2 miles, highway 101, and the Mississippi River. Even…
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Continue ReadingRivalry History:
Photo via: @MSHSLjohn on Twitter
Tonight will be the 10th meeting all time between cross town rivals Rogers and Elk River. The two high schools are only separated by 8.2 miles, highway 101, and the Mississippi River. Even though Rogers high school was founded in 2003, compared to Elk River in 1888. The rivalry between Elk River and the Royals has quietly became one of the most intense yearly battles in the state. This year the Elks have a great team sitting at a 7-0 record heading into week 8, and Rogers sits at 6-1. There has been some all-time great games in the rivalry.
- 2010: (regular season) Rogers: 55 Elk River: 0
- 2011: (regular season) Elk River: 17 Rogers: 14
- 2012: (section tournament) Elk River: 53 Rogers: 42
- 2013: (section tournament) Rogers: 52 Elk River: 14
- 2014: (section tournament) Rogers: 42 Elk River: 34
- 2015: (regular season) Rogers: 19 Elk River: 13
- 2016: (regular season) Elk River: 49 Rogers: 7
- 2017: (regular season) Rogers: 24 Elk River: 20
- 2018: (regular season) Elk River: 50 Rogers: 34
Rogers Offense:
This season Rogers comes into week eight with one of their most talented rosters top to bottom. They are led by senior QB Easton Miller who is 22nd in the state in passing yards with 1,143. His top receiver has been Austin Auld who has brought in 26 catches, for 391 yards and four touchdowns. The strength of Rogers offense has clearly been their running game. Senior offensive lineman Charlie Folkens has been able to open up massive holes for their running game. (you can read more about Folkens on a recent recruiting report here). Junior Ben Dahl has reaped major benefits from the Royals’ offensive line play, he leads the running game with 1,112 yards (7th in MN) and nine touchdowns.
Rogers Defense:
Pictured above: junior DB/RB/WR Michael Olowo
The Royals defense is led by talented junior DB Michael Olowo who also contributes as a runner and receiver on the offensive side of the ball. Olowo is one of the fastest runners in the state, and his speed shows up on the the football field. You can read a recent recruiting report about Olowo here. They also have senior DL/LB Luke Schany who will be playing his college ball for Minnesota State University, Moorhead next season.
Elk River Offense:
Elk River has always had one of the most dominant running games in the state year in and year out. Their wing-t offense has proven to be incredibly tough for opposing defenses to keep track of. This season they are averaging an astounding 490.9 rushing yards per contest. Senior Joe Nordstrom leads the way with 1,054 yards and 13 touchdowns, on only 99 carries (10.6 YPA). The second beneficiary of all the rushing attempts is junior Carter Otto, who has 913 yards and nine touchdowns on the season. Lastly junior Rahim Avery 752 rushing yards and eight touchdowns on the season. There has still been a plethora of other running backs who has contributed to their 3,400+ rushing yards on the season.
Elk River Defense:
Senior defensive back Zach Stroh has been the leader of the Elks’ defense for years, since he jumped onto the varsity scene as a sophomore. Stroh and talented junior linebacker Ryan Willson will look to slow down the high-powered Royals offense.
Zac with another big lift for a DB/QB. He hit 455, but I missed the video. Just too explosive for me😉. What a stud! pic.twitter.com/zzkKa6nT85
— Brad Olson (@BradOlson2020) July 31, 2019
Elk River has been one of the best high school football programs in Minnesota the past five years- appearing in each of the last three state tournaments, and winning in 2016. They seem to have as good of a chance as anyone to return to the state championship this year.
Week 8: Rogers (6-1) vs. Elk River (7-0)
- 7pm @ Rogers High School:
Tonights game between to of the best 5A programs in the state of Minnesota, has all the characteristics of an instant classic written all over it.