In his two years of coaching at Vicksburg High, Marcus Rogers got his football team to the playoffs, helped his players learn how to be successful in the sport with help from a former Gator turned Patriot, and continues to serve as a role model in the building. The one recent accomplishment from Rogers that shouldn’t go unnoticed is he sending 10 of his 19 seniors off to play collegiate football. Torrey Price, Antonio Brown, Markel Haggard, Brandon King, Timothy Jackson, Roderick Williams, Ishmael Williams, Te’Darious Brown, Paul Wilson and DeShun Younger are on the path to become better men thanks to the knowledge and wisdom of coach Rogers. “He’s a great person and great man,” Jackson said after signing on to play at Arkansas Baptist College back in February. “That dude is amazing. He’s been through really a lot with us. We’ve been through so much from the season till now,” Wilson said. “He’s a very good role model and showed me a lot.” Players have the utmost respect for Rogers and appreciate the work he has done for their lives. In return, he enjoys being an integral part of an athlete’s transition and loves how rewarding it is. Rogers began his coaching career in 2003 and received his first head coach position in 2008 at Wooddale High in Memphis. He’s seen his share of prospects play for big Division I schools such as Auburn running back Jovon Robinson and former University of Louisville offensive tackle Ryan Mack. But the one class of prospects he fells is the most rewarding is the class of 2016. Rogers said sometimes his players don’t get the same amount of exposure bigger schools get and as a result tend to fly under the radar. Rogers is often questioned on his decision to continue coaching high school football and his answer is simple: the impact he makes on his players’ lives is greater at this stage. “These kids are impressionable around this age,” Rogers said. “Sometimes we the only men they see in their life. We have to conduct ourselves and carry ourselves like we want them to be in today’s society. We do our best to teach them life lessons along with football.” The biggest lesson Rogers stresses to his players is accountability. At each of his three signing days for his players, Rogers took the time to make sure he put emphasis on how he wants his players to become productive members of society. “I can’t preach that enough to these kids. Just being accountable for one another so when it’s time for you to be on your own, you’ll be able to handle it and be able to motivate yourself,” Rogers said.