First In Athletics, Academics, And Community

PRAIRIE GROVE -- George Washington was regarded as first in war, first in peace and first in the hearts of his countrymen.

Washington County, Ark., was named for America's first president revered as "the father of our country," and on a smaller scale in the small town of Prairie Grove, senior Isaac Disney, selected as male Athlete of the Year for 2016 by the Enterprise-Leader, looms large as a fan favorite. Disney may be first in athletics, first in academics, and first in the hearts of his community of Prairie Grove.

"He's a good kid, first and foremost, really good-hearted and good-natured," says his grandfather Randy Disney, who, along with Isaac's grandmother Janie, have raised him since he was two. "He treats his grandparents really well. As far as his ball-playing, he's self-motivated. He gets himself up and goes to all the practices by himself. That probably what I admire the most."

From Disney's perspective, his grandfather Randy Disney has served as a role model. "He just teaches me to be a good man, have good morals, be polite, to be respectful. I've been raised in a good home."

While not at the top of his class, Disney maintains his eligibility for competition by keeping his grades up. Disney carries a respectable 3.2 GPA. He isn't exactly taking the easy way academically. His favorite teacher at Prairie Grove is Mr. Thomasson, who teaches Pre-Calculus and Trigonometry.

A 3-sport athlete every year since fourth grade, Disney has advice for junior high kids, who think they might want to play multiple sports in high school.

"You've got to be ready for the grind," he said. "You're playing year-round so there's no off-season. If you want to take the responsibility of playing three sports, you have to take responsibility in the classroom."

The old adage, practice makes perfect. From his first varsity football game as a junior, Prairie Grove defensive coordinator Craig Laird, for whom Disney started at cornerback two seasons, said he just kept getting better.

"He's the best athlete on the field, the fastest guy on the field," Craig Laird said. "You can put him on an island, he can cover. It's not just that he can run, he can cover."

As a senior, Disney scored four touchdowns on defense, recording 33 tackles, 5 tackles for losses, 5 interceptions, 8 pass deflections, one fumble recovery and one blocked-punt. One of his pass deflections denied a Gosnell scoring threat in the playoffs. Teammate Stone Bryant intercepted the football with a 61-yard return to flip the field with Disney leaping back to his feet and racing downfield trying to find somebody to block.

For all of his individual highlights, Disney wants his legacy as a Prairie Grove Tiger to be remembered in that manner -- as a team player, as someone, who worked hard, worked as a team, accomplished great things, not necessarily as an individual; and above all -- would do whatever it takes to win.

He produced in a big way as a senior, catching 33 passes for 813 yards, averaging 24.6 yards-per-reception with 11 touchdowns. Disney had a 48-yard run from scrimmage against West Fork on the last play of the half, catching the defense off-guard when they were expecting a pass. His punt return average was nearly 20 yards-per-return highlighted by a 71-yard runback for a touchdown against Huntsville and a 60-yard touchdown return versus Berryville.

Prairie Grove went undefeated in the regular season, won the 4A-1 Conference crown, earned a first-round bye and home field advantage in the playoffs. They beat Central Arkansas Christian Academy and Gosnell to reach the semifinals where they lost to eventual state champion Warren, 48-28.

All of these highlight reel plays have made Disney a hit with fans of all ages of Tiger football.

"He's really, really popular, not just with these popular guys, but with little kids," Randy Disney said. "He's had pictures made with little kids holding his helmet. I don't think it's gone to his head."

Disney appreciates the supporting cast he has enjoyed at Prairie Grove.

"I want to thank my grandparents for all the time and money (invested in his athletic career), every coach I've had throughout my sports career and all my teammates," Disney said.

Disney views Tiger football coach Danny Abshier (185-102-2), who just completed his 24th season as head coach at Prairie Grove as imparting lasting concepts to the players.

"He's a good man, he's got good values, he doesn't just help us in football but in life, too," Disney said. "He always gives us everything we need in life to be successful."