Human Battering Ram

MARK HUMPHREY GAME JOURNAL
MARK HUMPHREY GAME JOURNAL

One of the weapons Prairie Grove has in their arsenal is a human battering ram by the name of Reed Orr, who goes both ways as a running back and linebacker.

Reed Orr is a third-generation Tiger and second-generation football player for head coach Danny Abshier. He celebrated Friday's 61-13 playoff win over Central Arkansas Christian with his family, including dad, Bart Orr, who played for Abshier in his first year as head coach in 1993.

"We weren't very good back then," Bart Orr said. "We were just starting to climb out of the hole."

The Tigers had lost a string of games to their No. 1 rival Farmington and didn't become competitive until Abshier had been at the helm long enough to turn the program around.

Reed tried to describe the experience, "It feels great to play for the same guy, who coached my dad. I have no words to explain it. I'm just carrying on a tradition."

Bart played three years of varsity from 1992-1994 in virtually the same positions as Reed, as a fullback and linebacker. Reed has increased his speed this year and frequently lines up at halfback. The senior had a pair of big runs on Prairie Grove's second drive, picking up 20 yards on third-and-1 from the Mustang 47 and converting a second-and-8 with a 9-yard carry to CAC's three. Zeke Laird capped the drive with a 1-yard quarterback sneak putting the Tigers ahead, 12-0, before CAC's offense ever took the field.

Bart's father, Burl Orr, who is Reed's grandfather, was among the throng of Tiger fans. Burl Orr didn't play football because Prairie Grove hadn't yet taken up the sport. He played basketball for the Tigers, graduating in 1952, and sees similarities between his son and grandson when playing football.

"Both of them wouldn't give up," Burl Orr said. "Either one of them wouldn't give up."

Burl recalls Bart was an equally tough runner to bring down in his hey-day.

"He was the horse then and what I mean by that is when he started down the field he kept going," Burl Orr said.

He could have been describing Reed. In the second quarter, Reed Orr culminated a drive with a 14-yard touchdown carry, refusing to go down and hitting would-be tacklers harder than they hit him. Zeke Laird's point-after extended the Tiger margin to 34-13. Bart Orr pointed out that he isn't just rooting for Reed, but for the entire senior class and appreciates any Tiger who puts an effort into making a play.

"Reed makes me proud," Bart Orr said, adding, "I like to see anybody play hard and hustle."

"It's not only that my son is playing," Bart Orr said. "All these boys, I coached them from Kindergarten plumb up to the fifth grade. I get a lot of satisfaction to see them just go play hard."

On defense, Reed Orr stuffed a run for no-gain on third-and-1, then CAC turned the ball over on downs. With 68 yards to go and 1:19 left before the half, Prairie Grove redeemed the time. Fullback Kyle Sam reached paydirt on a 14-yard sweep around left end. Zeke Laird's boot gave the Tigers a 41-13 advantage which became the halftime score when DeMarkus Cooper recorded a sack for an 8-yard Mustang loss.

The second half featured more of the same brand of what Reed Orr calls "hard-nosed football." After turning the ball over at the Tiger 7, CAC still couldn't stop Prairie Grove. Reed Orr rumbled for 32 yards to get the Tigers out of the shadow of their own goal line and there was no looking back. Sam polished off the excursion into the Mustangs' half of the field with a 16-yard rushing touchdown barely into the fourth quarter. Zeke Laird kicked the extra-point and a sportsmanship rule, running clock was activated for the final 11:51. Reed Orr was quick to give credit to the offensive line.

"We spent all week working on our blocking schemes," Reed Orr said. "Our offensive line had a really good, impact game."

Walking off the field, a CAC coach gave Reed a parting exhortation, "You guys win the state championship, Prairie Grove, you guys win it."

That is exactly what the Tigers have in mind.

More on playoff win over CAC next week.

MARK HUMPHREY IS A SPORTS WRITER FOR THE ENTERPRISE-LEADER.

Sports on 11/23/2016