Quarterback's Worst Nightmare

STONE IS ALL-STAR FOR PRAIRIE GROVE

MARK HUMPHREY ENTERPRISE-LEADER Prairie Grove 2017 graduate Jack Stone, shown wearing No. 51 and returning an interception against Pea Ridge, will play in the 2017 Arkansas High School Coaches Association All-Star football game Friday at Estes Stadium on the University of Central Arkansas campus at Conway. Kickoff is at 7 p.m. Stone will attend Arkansas Tech on a football scholarship.
MARK HUMPHREY ENTERPRISE-LEADER Prairie Grove 2017 graduate Jack Stone, shown wearing No. 51 and returning an interception against Pea Ridge, will play in the 2017 Arkansas High School Coaches Association All-Star football game Friday at Estes Stadium on the University of Central Arkansas campus at Conway. Kickoff is at 7 p.m. Stone will attend Arkansas Tech on a football scholarship.

PRAIRIE GROVE -- Jack Stone's career highlight equaled a quarterback's worst nightmare.

With Stone's Prairie Grove teammate, defensive end Sol Walker, charging into his face mask, Pea Ridge quarterback Jakota Sainsbury threw a pass the 5-11, 180-pound quarterback wished he could have back. Stone intercepted the football and took off for a distant goal line some 60 yards away. Walker blocked the only other Pea Ridge player in the vicinity and Sainsbury found himself the last Blackhawk between Stone and the end zone.

Prairie Grove defensive coordinator Craig Laird raved at Stone's play in the trenches as a senior. Stone recorded 3 solo tackles and had 5 assists in the Tigers' key, 42-21, win over Pea Ridge which decided the 4A-1 Conference championship. His interception and long return set up a Prairie Grove offensive touchdown.

"I was so excited for him, I was jumping up and down," Laird said. "The interception, of course, that's a lineman's dream. A couple of years before that he played tight end for us. For him to get his hands on the football it was beautiful."

Stone covered the better part of the distance before Sainsbury was able to get him off his feet.

"I didn't think they were ever going to get him on the ground," Laird said, adding, "If I could have I would have picked him up and carried him into the end zone, that's how bad I wanted him to score. That's the kind of play you need against a conference contender."

The latest chapter in the football career of Stone, a Prairie Grove 2017 graduate who played for the Tigers in the 2015 State 4A championship game, happens Friday at the 2017 Arkansas High School Coaches Association All-Star football game.

In a preview of more football in his future, Stone takes the field as a defensive tackle for the West All-Stars at Estes Stadium on the University of Central Arkansas campus at Conway. Kickoff is at 7 p.m. Teammate Isaac Disney was also selected, but chose not to play in the All-Star game after recovering from a shoulder injury.

As a Prairie Grove senior, Stone was listed as 6-feet-5, 235 pounds. After he signed with Arkansas Tech in February, they informed Stone they want him to beef up over the summer. Laird was impressed with Stone's progress when he stopped by the Tiger fieldhouse Thursday to pick up football equipment to use in Friday's All-Star gridiron contest.

"He walked in today to get that equipment and I could see how much weight he's put on," Laird said. "He's getting fit. It was a beautiful thing to behold."

As a senior, Stone had 13 solo tackles and 27 assists plus 3 sacks, a fumble recovery and 1 interception helping Prairie Grove reach the 4A state semifinals for the second straight year.

"He was just an outstanding player to coach. He was as hard a working player as I've ever had," Laird said. "If he was injured you about had to drag him out because he won't tell you. That's the kind of player he was. That was his character. As far as his physical ability with his strength and speed he was a force on our defensive line. He made my job a lot easier."

Jack's father, Scott Stone, outlined what he desires to happen in his son's life.

"My vision for his life is that he would listen to the Lord and let the Lord lead him to where to go. That's more important than football. I hope that he uses football as a platform to share his faith."

Sports on 06/21/2017