Isaac Aanerud

Rogers’ Isaac Aanerud hit a 41-yard field goal as time expired to send the game to overtime, thenJake Owens rumbled into the end zone to give Rogers the lead on its first possession of the extra period. But neither play could be considered the most memorable from the Royals’ dramatic 38-37 victory over St. Michael-Albertville.

After senior running back Chris Kartes scored to get St. Michael-Albertville within an extra point of sending the game to a second overtime, the Knights elected to go for the two-point conversion — and the win.

Quarterback Jackson Greenwaldt handed off to Kartes, who lateraled the ball back to Greenwaldt. The junior signal caller sprinted to his right and seemingly hit a receiver in the right corner of the end zone. He was ruled out of bounds.

With that, Rogers wrapped up the Mississippi 8 Conference title and an unbeaten regular season — on a night when the Royals were anything but perfect.

Rogers fell 10 points behind at three times in the game, but each time clawed its way back. Aanerud’s long, game-tying kick came on a drive that started at the Royals’ 33-yard line with just 55.7 seconds remaining.

Senior quarterback Connor Henderson completed 15 of 27 pass for 266 yards and two touchdowns for the Royals in the victory.

Recap: Senior Isaac Aanerud made a tying 41-yard field goal as time in regulation expired and Jake Owens rumbled into the end zone to give Rogers the lead in overtime. Yet, in a game in which the two Mississippi 8 rivals combined for 805 total offensive yards, it was the Rogers defense that sealed the victory. The Royals forced a St. Michael-Albertville receiver out of bounds in a corner of the end zone on a failed two-point conversion in overtime to clinch the conference title.

Key of the game: The play of quarterback Connor Henderson helped put the Royals in position to win. The senior threw for 266 yards and two touchdowns and completed two crucial passes on the Royals’ tying drive in the fourth quarter.

Quote: “We were nervous but coach just told us to enjoy the moment, and we did.” — Aanerud of his tying kick.

One thing to know: The performance capped an 8-0 regular season for Rogers, which overcame 10-point deficits to the Knights three times.

BRYCE EVANS