High School Football Players of the Week

ARQUEL ROGERS
Modesto running back

• Plenty of points were expected when Modesto ran into Pitman last week in a season opener at renovated Joe Debeley Stadium, and the teams more than lived up to that offensive hype.

• But it was a game within a game for the Panthers' running back, who was part of a showcase boasting two of the Stanislaus District's top runners — Pitman's Dominick Walker was the other featured back.

• Rogers came out ahead on both counts, rushing for 128 yards and three TDs, returning a kickoff 95 yards for a fourth TD and catching a 48-yard pass to set up another score during Modesto's 48-36 victory. Rogers was able to show his quickness while scoring on a 68-yard run. His 7-yard TD run in the third quarter gave Modesto a 34-23 lead, and Pitman got no closer than five points afterward.

• He averaged 13 carries and 97 yards a game as a junior, sharing carries with then-senior James Ingram.

• "Q only had 10 carries against Pitman, but he did a lot of damage with those," Modesto coach Rod Long said. "He is a strong back and looks quicker than he did last year."

WADE HAWKINS
Waterford quarterback

• After injuries had Wade Hawkins in and out of the lineup last fall, he's looking forward to a strong senior year. He got off to a good start by passing for 96 yards and three TDs to beat Riverbank 35-6.

• Hawkins, who completed 6 of 10, also ran for a TD. The TD passes equaled his total from a year ago, when Hawkins was 27 of 71 for 335 yards with six picks.

• "Wade participated in several QB camps where he focused on footwork and reading coverages," athletic director Dave Johnson said. "We participated in the mini camp at Downey High School this summer and Wade gained valuable experience against top schools."

• Just as important, Hawkins had time to throw the ball.

• "The offensive line did a very good job protecting Wade," said Johnson, noting that the Wildcats ran for 229 yards and average 6.4 yards per carry.

• It was also coach Todd Sevick's debut at Waterford.

• "It's nice to get off to a good start," Johnson said. "It helps the players buy into a new offense and defense."

— RICHARD T. ESTRADA