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Special Teams, Defense Bolster Field Position, Scoring Opportunities

PRAIRIE GROVE -- Facing a strong 3A opponent in week two, Prairie Grove special teams play set the tone for a 30-12 win at Charleston.

Up-back DeMarkus Cooper fielded a short kickoff and returned the ball to the Charleston 45 setting up a short field for the Prairie Grove Tigers. Blake Faulk ran for 22 yards and Reed Orr 8. Faulk picked up a first down at Charleston's 11 and Dylan Soehner capped off the drive by grabbing Sam Dodd's pass just over the goal line near the left pylon taking care of a second and 13 with the touchdown. Dodd faked a handoff and ran in a 2-point conversion putting Prairie Grove ahead, 8-0.

Charleston tried to answer driving to midfield before Cole McClellan disrupted the drive on consecutive blitzes, the second of which resulted in a sack aided by Coty Hoskins. Dawson West chased down a flare pass putting Charleston in a punting situation. Middle linebacker Dakota Hutchinson blocked the punt and Prairie Grove took possession at the Charleston 48 with 4:46 to go in the opening quarter. Faulk put the ball in the end zone on a 2-yard carry, then took a quick-pitch right to add the conversion. Prairie Grove led 16-0 and expanded their lead in the second period.

A Charleston punt ended in a net yardage differential of a mere 7 yards. Prairie Grove coach Danny Abshier described the botched kick as being caused by a strong rush on the punter.

"If you put enough pressure he has to short-leg it and it is a short punt, that's a success," Abshier said.

Prairie Grove wasn't able to capitalize initially. A lost fumble turned the ball over to Charleston but Prairie Grove's defense was tenacious. Hoskins and Zeke Laird shut down a wide receiver screen, then Laird forced an incomplete pass by getting a hand on Charleston quarterback Wade Gerlick. Charleston punted and Prairie Grove set up their offense in opponent territory at Charleston's 40, 15 yards closer to the goal than where their previous drive started. The distance was covered in 5 plays with Faulk's 5-yard run capping the march. A pass failed on the 2-point try but Prairie Grove owned a 22-0 lead.

A 35-yard kickoff return by Chase Binz was followed by a trick play as Charleston scored. Sean Michael Flanagan gained 54 yards on a double pass play. Alex Sharp tried to run the ball in from the one and fumbled but offensive lineman Ryan Keener recovered in the end zone for a Charleston touchdown. Orr grabbed Gerlick forcing a hurried throw, which Isaac Disney deflected denying Charleston a conversion leaving the score at 22-6 in favor of Prairie Grove at the 7:51 mark.

Cole Walker read a screen and hit Mason Wisdom causing a Charleston fumble which Prairie Grove recovered at their own 35. On the ensuing play, Disney ran a right flag pattern and Prairie Grove quarterback Sam Dodd hit him in stride. The throw originated at Prairie Grove's 30 and was caught at Charleston's 30 with Disney blazing a trail into the end zone for a touchdown. Soehner added a 2-point catch and Prairie Grove held a commanding 30-6 lead at the half.

Charleston added one more score in the second half but that wasn't nearly enough to offset Prairie Grove's first-half surge and the Tigers won, 30-12. A dominant defensive effort by Prairie Grove held Charleston to 150 total yards and 6 first downs in the first half. Charleston's rushing total was 33 yards on 13 runs compared to Prairie Grove's 25 carries for 172 yards.

"Coach Laird always does an excellent job with our defense," Abshier said. "He's relentless on his pursuit. It's not just get ready on Saturday, then prepare for the week; he's continually working."

In week three Prairie Grove's defense was even better shutting out West Fork, 50-0. Abshier again nodded to Craig Laird's diligence in having the defense ready to play complimenting players on having a good week of practice.

"Last week, we got it quick. We lined up well. We made fewer mistakes than we ever had," Abshier said. "All week long we got it together. He [Craig Laird] is on top of it. The kids pulled it off well."

Sports on 09/30/2015