PRAIRIE GROVE -- The difference between schools missing out on football playoffs and those with a number of basketball athletes still commited to the gridiron in late November was obvious Monday.
Farmington with a roster bolstered by the inclusion of football athletes, Xavier Staten, Skyler Montez, Jacob Gray, Trey Waggle and Tony Mayo faced a Prairie Grove squad minus DeMarkus Cooper, John David Elder, Anthony Johnson and Graham Guenther.
Getting a true statistical analysis of the impact can be measured in terms of points and rebounds from partcipating athletes; but trying to guage to what degree the presence of unavailable gridiron athletes could create is one of the X-factors that draw fans to sports. Fans enjoy the unpredictability of sports, and they like rivalries. As far as rivalries go the Cardinals verus the Tigers ranks right up there with the best of high school competition.
That factor alone brought many basketball fans hungry for the hoops season to get into full swing into the Tiger gym and there were plenty of plays to cheer about. From the opening tip-off the action went back and forth as both squads sought to exploit the other's weakness.
In the end Prairie Grove's greatest weakness was perhaps the absence of the football guys, but that never stopped the Tigers from attempting get one up on the Cardinals. Likewise, the Cardinals were not about to let up. And so a basketball fan's delight was showcased in the midst of an intense rivalry. While competition was a common denominator, the rivalry remains refreshingly based upon sportsmanship.
Farmington 00, Prairie Grove 00
Prairie Grove^00^00^00^00^--^00
Farmington^00^00^00^00--^00
Prairie Grove (0-1): Will Pridmore 0 0-0 00, DJ Pearson 0 0-0 00, Riley Rhodes 0 0-0 0, Braden Risner 0 0-0 00, Nick Pohlman 0 0-0 00, Jacob Shepherd 0 0-0 0, Brandon Davidson 0 0-0 0, Tanner Bristow 0 0-0 0. Totals 00 00-00 00.
Farmington (0-0): Jaylen Montez 0 0-0 00, Xavier Staten 0 0-0 00, Skyler Montez 0 0-0 00, Payton Maxwell 0 0-0 00, Jacob Gray 0 0-0 0, Bryce Waggle 0 0-0 0. Totals 00 00-00 00.
3-Point Goals -- Prairie Grove 0 (Pridmore 0, Pearson 0, Rhodes 0), Farmington 0 (Jaylen Montez 0, Skyler Montez 0, Staten 0). Fouled Out -- None. Total Fouls -- Prairie Grove 00, Farmington 00.
Sports on 11/29/2017