PRAIRIE GROVE -- The ultimate prize came into view when Prairie Grove took the turf to play in the 2015 4A state championship Saturday, Dec. 12, versus Nashville.
Playing for the first-time ever on Little Rock AT&T Field inside War Memorial Stadium, the Tigers led, 20-19, at halftime before Nashville dominated the second-half. Prairie Grove finished as state runner-up, bringing the second place trophy home.
Playing for a state title is every coach's dream, but for Prairie Grove head football coach Danny Abshier the daily priority is something he believes is achievable every year. Abshier is motivated by an overwhelming desire to instill character and be involved in the lives of each player, who puts on a Prairie Grove football uniform. Based on an opponent's response from last season's state playoffs, Abshier is succeeding.
Five weeks prior to their unprecedented title shot, Abshier and the Tigers received one of the highest compliments a football program will experience after defeating Jonesboro Westside, 45-14, in a first-round playoff game. A Jonesboro player was injured in the contest and the Prairie Grove response overwhelmed his family.
Alicia Storey posted the following on the Prairie Grove Tigers' Facebook page Nov. 14: "I wanted to update you all and let you know that Anthony was released from the hospital with 'just' a concussion, all scans were clear and he is expected to make a full recovery. Thank you to the fans and players for your genuine concern and prayers. Our boys are still commenting on the character of your team."
Storey described the Prairie Grove football squad as "the largest, most physical opponent" Jonesboro Westside faced all season, but also "the most gracious," and representing "all things a good football team ought to be."
Storey wrote Prairie Grove parents, coaches and administration should be commended for a job well done; and stated the Warriors would be rooting for the Tigers as they continued their journey to the state championship.
The 2016 Tigers will showcase their progress towards continuing to achieve standards of excellence Thursday in Prairie Grove's annual Black and Gold game starting at 6:30 at Tiger Den Stadium.
Abshier sees last season's title shot as paving the way for future success if the Tigers can answer a few basic questions.
"Can we do this thing and at what level?" Abshier said. "What can we do to win football games? And even more than that, what can we do to make first downs?"
He thinks the Tigers have consistently answered those questions which lead to more questions about how to go about winning a state championship.
"What can we do to succeed?" Abshier said is the fundamental question. "If we can duplicate what we did last year. Now we know what it takes to play in a state championship game. We've been in that situation. What do we do to win that game?"
Tiger fans are anxious to see how those questions might be answered. Thursday's Black and Gold scrimmages will give them their first glimpse for 2016 as another chapter in the history of Prairie Grove football is unveiled.
Sports on 08/17/2016