PRAIRIE GROVE -- Last season Prairie Grove rebounded from a Saturday home loss to Gravette to win the conference title.
With a 2014 strong freshman class having moved up to high school competition, the junior Tigers won't have as much experience, yet should contend for the league crown again. Freshman Ethan Scates started at inside linebacker on defense for the junior Tigers as an eighth-grader and will expand his role on offense this year. As the only returning player among the freshman class with experience, Scates is expected to take a leadership role at quarterback.
"He's a good athlete, a headsy player and has a little football savvy to him," Elder said.
Ethan Guenther is the backup. Scates also played tight end last year as did Guenther, who will continue in that role. This experience gives each insight into the passing game as both a passer and receiver which helps their chemistry.
"In 7 on 7, they hooked up with each other a couple of times on passes and did a good job on that," Elder said.
Fullbacks Cole Tice and Garrett Heltemes, are following in the footsteps of older brothers (Ty Tice and Gavin Heltemes) in Tiger athletics.
"They both want to be better than their brothers," Elder said. "The biggest thing with Cole is his speed. Ty quit playing [football] after his freshman year but Cole is a football player. He likes football."
"Garrett's as big as Gavin is right now. He has good skills, catches the ball well, sees holes and runs through very well."
Jacob Watson and Symoyah Hobbs line up at split end and Elder is counting on them to be possession receivers to keep drives alive.
"They are both fairly consistent with their hands and are getting better on their routes," Elder said.
Guenther will play tight end with a quarterback's perspective aiding him.
"He knows who to block and does a good job on that," Elder said.
Cameron Cox possesses good foot speed at center, enabling him to shoot out and engage linebackers, helping Prairie Grove's running game at the point of attack. At guard is Daytona Pinkley, a cousin to assistant coach Mason Pinkley, who says Daytona knows who to block and gets there.
"Knowing who to block, that's half the battle right there," Elder said.
Elder describes guard Cooper Allen as a skill guy, who needed to find a home and did so by becoming a lineman.
"He wants to be on the field, he's ready to go and has the speed to pull. It doesn't matter where he plays, he just wants to play. I like kids like that," Elder said.
Freshman tackle Tristan Ashing is one of the biggest kids on the junior Tigers squad. He is strong and can do the job. Fellow freshman tackle Dakota Dickerson does what is needed as a blocker. Prairie Grove is deep on the offensive line with five quality reserves. Eighth-grader Ryan Atkinson is one of the strongest players with flexibility to play both center and guard. Hayden Black is another eighth-grader whom Elder says is going to get better and better and could become a starter before the season is over. Braden Riesner transferred in from Pottsville and is learning the Wing-T offense. He played tight end at Pottsville.
"I am teaching him to play guard. He is eager to learn, hustles and goes hard and I think he can help us there," Elder said.
Freshman Clayton Weyl works hard at tackle and may see spot duty.
"He always gives his best," Elder said. "He could be a kid that goes in there and does good things for us when we need to give somebody a rest."
Freshman Lane Dalton, who starts as halfback, brings speed to the defensive line.
"He is the fastest kid we have and the strongest pound for pound," Pinkley said. "He's really quick."
Pinkley expects Scates to make plays from the inside linebacker spot.
"He has a nose for the ball," Pinkley said. "He finds it no matter where it's going. He finds it really quick."
Allen is the other inside linebacker, who brings an attitude to the defense.
"He has no fear. He's going to hit you with everything he has every time," Mason Pinkley said.
Heltemes is pushing 6-feet already as a freshman and gives Prairie Grove a tall cornerback, who will be difficult to throw over showing potential during 7 on 7 competition.
"Symoyah Hobbs caught my eye in 7 on 7 breaking on passes," Mason Pinkley said. "He has an athletic body and is in our top 10 in speed guys. He's probably 5-feet-10. We have two defensive backs that are tall."
Mason Pinkley pointed to traditional league power Shiloh Christian as among this year's top 4A-1 junior high teams.
"It's always going to be Shiloh Christian. Lincoln has a good bunch this year and Gravette is always tough."
Sports on 09/09/2015