PRAIRIE GROVE -- Stuttgart seized the lead just before halftime and held it until Prairie Grove quarterback J.D. Elder completed a pair of fourth down passes for touchdowns in the final 5:18.
The scoring passes of 36 and 15 yards caught by Colin Bryant boosted the Tigers to a 24-14 second-round playoff win over Stuttgart, a team which beat Prairie Grove in their last meeting in the 2012 4A semifinals.
"In the first half we knew we were in for a dogfight," J.D. Elder said. "We made some adjustments in the second half. Our offensive line made plays and helped me get the ball off."
Twin brothers, Stone, 18-yard reception in the first half; and Colin Bryant, got open in critical situations helping the Tigers score against a tough Stuttgart run defense.
The first crucial pass completion came on fourth-and-4 from the Stuttgart 37. The Tigers took over at the Ricebirds' 42 following a Stuttgart punt from the one. Backup fullback Garrett Heltemes ran for six yards on first down, but Stuttgart's defense stiffened and the next two Tiger runs netted no yards. On fourth down, J.D. Elder threw to Colin Bryant, who made the catch between a pair of Ricebird defensive backs. Neither could slow him down and Colin Bryant bounced off an attempted tackle then raced into the end zone. Garrett Heltemes ran in a 2-point conversion and the Tigers led 17-14 with 5:18 remaining.
Prairie Grove added an insurance touchdown when J.D. Elder's father, Prairie Grove assistant coach John Elder, convinced head coach Danny Abshier to air it out on fourth-and-7 with just over a minute to play.
"I had a run called," Abshier said. "At the last moment, (John) Elder comes up and he says, 'Coach, just run this play for me.'"
J.D. Elder hit Colin Bryant just inside the left pylon for the touchdown.
Stuttgart scored on their opening possession with David Johnson carrying the ball in from a yard out. Prairie Grove answered with a touchdown drive on their first possession capped by J.D. Elder's 18-yard pass to Stone Bryant. Ben Beason's extra-point kick gave the Tigers a 7-6 lead which they upped to 9-6 when David Johnson was sacked by Clay Spinks for a safety.
"I told the line to block so John (David) could throw the ball," Stone Bryant said. "I wasn't expecting him to throw it to me, but I got wide-open. He threw a perfect pass and it ended up a touchdown."
Stone Bryant was able to run away from Stuttgart's defensive backs and score.
"I just kind of go," Stone Bryant said. "When I saw those guys I just try to get between them with the extra boost that I have."
He had a key downfield block on Colin's touchdown that put the Tigers ahead for good late in the fourth.
Sports on 11/22/2017