Lions, Tigers Have Many Playoff Scenarios

By Alex Abrams

Posted: November 6, 2009 at 8:48 a.m.

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FAYETTEVILLE — Prairie Grove coach Danny Abshier can’t rattle all of the different scenarios off the top of his head.

He needs some help remembering each one.

Of course, Abshier would prefer to see his players take care of business at Gravette at 7 p.m. today and not let the score of another game or even a coin toss determine whether they make the postseason.

“If we win, we help our cause,” Abshier said. “That’s kind of the bottom line, and that’s how Gentry has to look at it, too.”

Heading into the final week of the regular season, Prairie Grove (3-6, 3-3 4A-1 Conference) finds itself in the middle of a muddled race for the fi nal two playoffs spots in conference.

The Tigers could have locked up a postseasonberth with a win over Gentry last week, but instead fumbled four times in a 28-0 loss that left both teams feeling a bit uncertain.

How crazy are the different playoff scenarios?

Depending on what happens today, P rairie Grove could earn either the fourth or fifth seed with a win against a Gravette team (8-1, 5-1) that has already secured the No. 2 seed.

But a loss by the Tigers and a Huntsville (3-6, 2-4) win over Gentry (4-5, 3-3)by at least 13 points would force a coin toss to separate a three-way tie between the teams. Confused?

“After any tough loss, it’s hard to be confident and focused and fired up and intense and all that,” Abshier said. “The intensity is not there, and the focus seems to be we’re trying to get better.”

Unfortunately for the Tigers, their postseason chances might hinge on whether they can show improvement against Gravette, which is coming off a 35-0 win over Berryville.

Despite last week’s lopsided victory, Gravette coach Bill Harrelson admitted he’s not entirely pleased with how his offense has performed.

The passing game led by quarterback Colton Davis is starting to get into a rhythm, but Harrelson said he wants to see more before the Lions host a playoff game for the third consecutive year.

“Offensively, we’re not clicking like I’d like for us to be. We’re getting better,” Harrelson said. “Last week we only had one turnover. I want that to be zero, but we’re improving.”

Abshier admitted he’d be happy if his offensive players could simply hold onto the football, drive downfield and not give their opponents so many easy chances to score by fumbling four times.

It’s been frustrating for Abshier, who said the turnover problem against Gentry could’ve been caused by a lack of focus by his players.

“The focus is that we should hang onto the ball and we should be at our peak at this point, which we have not been,” Abshier said. “... We’re still looking for improvement.”

Time is running out, though.

None, Pages 11 on 11/06/2009

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