For nearly 20 years, the names Corky Rogers and Wayne Belger were synonymous on the sidelines at Lee. On a warm Friday night in August, the two made their first trip back to the Backyard since Oct. 17, 2003, when Bolles traveled to Lee in the annual Kickoff Classic.
“I love the people there,” Rogers said. “A lot has changed since I’ve been there, but I’m sure some of the sons of players I coached back then might be playing Friday.”
Rogers graduated from Lee in 1961 after leading the Generals to the mythical 1960 state football title and the 1961 state baseball title. Rogers returned to Lee to take over the head coaching position in 1972, and his quarterback that year was none other than Wayne Belger. Five years later Belger joined Roger’s staff, and the two have been together ever since.
From 1972 to 1988, Rogers accumulated a 141-39-1 record, guiding the Generals to 10 straight playoff seasons. The results were immediately felt at Lee as Rogers went 5-5 in his inaugural season before going 8-2-1 in 1974, concluding with a 10-6 win over Bishop Kenny in the Meninak Bowl, and 9-1 in 1975, followed by another trip to the Meninak Bowl.
In 1977, Rogers led Lee to its first trip to the playoffs since a state runner-up finish in 1964. Rogers guided the Generals to the aforementioned 10 consecutive playoff appearances, a school record, yet couldn’t get past the third round of the playoffs, something to this day that still bothers him.
“I do still sometimes think about that,” Rogers said. “In my heart, I know we had the talent to do it. It still bothers me.”
Rogers admitted that part of the reason his teams were not able to make it to state is that they were relegated to playing so many conference games instead of traveling out of the area to play better teams.
“We were in the Gateway Conference back then, and that prevented us from playing outside the Jacksonville area,” Rogers said. “While we were able to accomplish a lot of things, you have to travel outside the area.”
Rogers admitted he still keeps an eye on his old team and follows them when he can.
“I’m happy for them,” Rogers said. “They got a big win I guess Saturday night (against Trinity Christian). I always check on them when I’m reading the paper. I always look to see how they are doing and check the scores.”
If not for an ill-fated event, he might still be on the Lee sideline today. In March 1988, Rogers was hit by a drunk driver; he was hospitalized and underwent 18 different surgeries. During that time, Bolles Athletic Director Frank Callihan paid him a visit at the hospital and offered him the Bolles head coaching job. After thinking about it, Rogers accepted the job and took over the program in the fall of 1989, and the rest, as they say, is history.
Twenty-five years later, Rogers has accumulated a 313-45 record at Bolles including a state record of 10 state titles and five state runner-up finishes. Despite the close proximity, this was just the second time he had ever gone back to Lee. The last time was a good memory for him as Bolles handled Lee 24-8 on their way to a state runner-up finish.
“My dad played there; I played there; and Coach Belger played there and played for me,” Rogers said. “We are Westside people. Our roots are there.”
At 72 years old, this could very well have been the last time Rogers roamed the sidelines at the Backyard; he has been battling health problems throughout his career and was recently hospitalized in June for an undisclosed condition. However, Lee coach OJ Small made sure it happened at least one more time by reaching out to Rogers one day.
“We’ve had a hard time finding games as we had three teams drop us off the schedule, and we appreciate OJ (Small) calling us and asking us to play,” Rogers said. “This will help out both teams immensely.”
Turns out Lee wasn’t a gracious host after all as Lee knocked off Bolles 28-14 in the Backyard. Following the game, the entire Lee coaching staff and every Lee player came over to shake Corky Rogers’ hand, and they all took a team picture with him. The school honored Rogers, presenting him with a t-shirt that reads on the back “Once a General, always a General.”
At Lee (141-39-1)
1972 (5-5) First season under Corky Rogers
1973 (N/A) No playoffs
1974 (8-2-1) Won Meninak Bowl over BK 10-6
1975 (9-1) Won Meninak Bowl
1976 (N/A) No playoffs
1977 (N/A) Lost 2nd round to Choctaw 27-12
1978 (9-2) Lost 1st round to Wolfson 28-20
1979 (N/A) Lost 2nd round to Milton 41-7
1980 (N/A) Lost 3rd round to Gainesville 21-15
1981 (N/A) Lost 1st round to Palatka 14-7
1982 (6-5) Lost 2nd round to Palatka 14-10
1983 (10-1) Lost 1st round to Palatka 27-7
1984 (11-1) Lost 2nd round to Escambia 28-25
1985 (10-1) Lost 1st round to Ocala Forest 22-21
1986 (9-2) Lost 1st round to Gainesville 17-14
1987 (6-4) No playoffs
1988 (8-2) No playoffs
At Bolles
1989 (5-5) First season under Coach Rogers
1990 (12-1) State champs beat Bishop Verot 17-14
1991 (9-3) Lost 2nd round to Taylor County 6-3
1992 (7-4) Lost Bonos Bowl to Ed White XX-XX
1993 (15-0) State champs beat Lake Wales 42-21
1994 (10-2) lost 2nd round to South Sumter 33-6
1995 (14-1) State champs beat Hardee 28-21
1996 (14-1) State runner-up lost to Bartow 14-13
1997 (9-4) Lost 3rd round to Taylor County 41-14
1998 (15-0) State champs beat Pahokee 41-0
1999 (11-2) Lost 3rd round to Trinity 17-7
2000 (9-3) Lost 2nd round to Marianna 7-0
2001 (11-2) Lost 3rd round to Madison 28-10
2002 (14-1) State champs beat Chaminade 6-0
2003 (12-2) State runner-ups lost to Miami Pace 21-17
2004 (14-0) State champs beat Jefferson 42-21
2005 (10-2) Lost 2nd round to South Sumter 38-35
2006 (14-0) State champs beat Clewiston 27-24 in 3 OTs
2007 (11-1) Lost 1st round to South Sumter 19-10
2008 (14-0) State champs beat Gulliver 49-20
2009 (12-1) State champs beat Tampa Catholic 21-7
2010 (11-1) Lost 2nd round to Trinity Catholic 35-21
2011 (13-1) State champs beat Booker T Washington 33-25
2012 (12-2) State runner-up lost to Booker T Washington 35-7
2013 (10-4) State runner-up lost to Booker T Washington 40-21
2014 (11-3) State runner-up lost to Booker T Washington 54-35
2015 (9-3) Lost 2nd round to Raines 34-8
Homecoming of Sorts as Corky Returns to the Backyard
Written by: Corey Davis
