WEST FORK -- Prairie Grove (3-0) completed a sweep of nonconference opponents with a 40-6 pasting of West Fork Friday.
The game was more lopsided than the final score indicated. Prairie Grove's starting offensive unit scored on their first six possessions, establishing a 40-0 lead with 3:18 left in the first half. At that juncture head coach Danny Abshier sent in his second-team. West Fork was able to break the ice with a 62-yard touchdown run by senior Taylor Poplin, but a 2-point conversion failed leaving Prairie Grove with a 40-6 lead.
West Fork came into the season with a 23-man varsity roster, but only dressed 17 players for the game. Although Prairie Grove's halftime lead was 34 points, instead of the 35-point margin needed by rule to implement a mercy-rule, coaches from both teams agreed to implement a running clock in the second half. Neither team scored after that.
The overall effectiveness of Prairie Grove's defense, including extended play by reserves was evident in West Fork's 105 yards of total offense and average of a 2.8-yards-per-play. On the 37 plays West Fork ran other than Poplin's 62-yard touchdown, the average-per-play was 1.2 yards. West Fork sophomore quarterback Wayne Boyd completed 5 of 11 passes for 14 yards total through the air. Besides Poplin's burst, West Fork gained 29 yards on 27 rushes for 1.1 yards-per-carry. Prairie Grove had two sacks causing 22 yards in losses. Collin Bryant had an interception.
Meanwhile Prairie Grove enjoyed a productive outing from several starters offensively. Prairie Grove amassed 403 yards of total offense with 313 coming on the ground. Quarterback J.D. Elder completed all 5 of his passes for 80 yards and 2 touchdowns, including scoring plays of 31 yards to fullback Aaron Preston to cap their first drive and 10 yards to Stone Bryant in the second quarter. Preston had 3 carries for 33 yards and tight end DeMarkus Cooper caught two passes for 33 yards. Backup quarterback Ethan Scates was 1-of-1 for 10 yards. Neither Prairie Grove signal-caller was sacked.
Prairie Grove put 26 points on the scoreboard in an 8:53 span. Halfback Anthony Johnson (4 carries, 128 yards, 32.0 average) broke touchdown runs of 58 and 55 yards. Ben Beason was 2-of-3 on extra-point kicks in the first quarter to push the lead out to 20-0. Thirty-three seconds into the second period, Collin Bryant, whose twin brother Stone wears No. 33 for Prairie Grove, scored on a 30-yard touchdown run.
Elder connected with Stone Bryant 4:14 later with Beason's kick extending the margin to 33-0. Wingback Dustin Burton (2 carries, 34 yards) concluded the scoring for the first team offense with a 28-yard run. Beason's kick gave Prairie Grove a 40-0 lead. Reserves played the final 3:18 of the first half and throughout the second half.
Jared Harger ran 8 times for 51 yards, posting a solid 6.4-yard average. Keiandre Hobbs carried 4 times for 15 yards. Prairie Grove averaged 11.2-yards every time the ball was ran and 15 yards-per-pass. Prairie Grove ran the ball 28 times for 313 yards. There were very few penalties and not many turnovers. Prairie Grove was penalized twice for 15 yards while West Fork drew no flags. Prairie Grove had one fumble, which they recovered. West Fork threw an interception for the game's only turnover. West Fork had problems punting. West Fork's six punts averaged 20.3-yards-per-kick. Prairie Grove did not punt in the contest.
Prairie Grove converted 3-of-4 third downs and failed on their only fourth-down attempt. West Fork was 3-of-10 on third down and 1-of-2 on fourth down.
Prairie Grove begins conference play Friday on the road at Huntsville, then celebrates Homecoming Sept. 29 against Gravette.
MARK HUMPHREY IS A SPORTS WRITER FOR THE ENTERPRISE-LEADER.
Sports on 09/20/2017