SHEFFIELD — Austin Kerr rushed for three touchdowns and passed for another to help Rogers defeat Sheffield 35-21 in the final regular-season game for both teams.

Kerr, who has played quarterback in the past, was the Pirates’ workhorse at running back, gaining 173 yards on 32 carries. He was also 2 for 5 passing, all while at running back, for 88 yards and a touchdown.

“He’s a warrior,” Rogers head coach Randall Martin said. “He runs so hard. He doesn’t like getting tackled.”

Rogers (6-4) outgained Sheffield (5-5) 308-77 on the ground.

“Physically, we just got whipped,” Sheffield head coach David Hufstedler said. “Our kids played hard in the second half, and I’m proud of them for that. We just have to quit making some of these silly mistakes.”

Rogers scored on the opening possession when Kerr’s 50-yard halfback pass to Hunter Benefield helped set up his own 1-yard touchdown run.

Sheffield tied it when JD Smith picked up a fumble and ran it back 46 yards for a touchdown. Rogers took the next possession 71 yards in seven plays and scored on a 2-yard Kerr run late in the first quarter to take a 14-7 lead.

Rogers running back Raleigh Killen scored on a 1-yard run late in the second quarter.

Wes Black recovered a fumble with 12 second to play in the half, and Kerr connected with Alex Woodard on a 38-yard halfback pass for a 28-7 lead.

After a scoreless third quarter, Sheffield quarterback Hunter Danley scored on a 4-yard run to cut the Pirates’ lead to 28-14 with 10:58 to play. Danley’s 54-yard pass to Aaron Pride helped set up the score.

The Pirates answered by taking the ball 69 yards in seven plays for a touchdown. Kerr scored his third rushing touchdown on a 4-yard run.

Danley found Pride deep once again, this time for a 57-yard touchdown, to round out the scoring at 35-21.

Pride had three receptions for 116 yards.

“Other than those deep balls, I thought our defense played extremely well tonight,” Martin said.

Both teams now will prepare for the playoffs. Rogers goes on the road to face Class 4A, Region 7 champion Madison County in the first round of the AHSAA playoffs. Sheffield travels to North Sand Mountain.