Prairie Grove running back Thomas Soehner, right, runs with the ball during last week’s game against Gravette. Prairie Grove travels to Dumas tonight for a firstround game in the Class 4A state playoffs.
Photo by David Frank Dempsey
SPRINGDALE — Some things never change.
Despite only winning four games this season, Prairie Grove still found a way to make the Class 4A state playoffs for the 14th straight year.
Last week at Gravette, the Tigers pulled off a surprising upset by defeating the Lions 44-17, earning the No. 4 seed from the 4A-1 Conference.
Prairie Grove coach Danny Abshier said last week’s victory should provide a confidence boost for his team, who plays on the road at 7:30 p.m. today against Dumas in the first round of the playoffs.
“I think it opens our eyes and helps us realize what we’re capable of,” Abshier said. “It’s got to be a mental boost, it’s got to help in some way. I don’t know how much, but I know our kids are feeling good about themselves.”
One of the main reasons Prairie Grove is again in the playoffs is senior running back Thomas Soehner (6-foot-2, 200 pounds), who has rushed for 1,379 yards and 17 touchdowns this season.
Last week, Soehner rushed for 95 yards and scored three touchdowns to help secure the playoff berth for the Tigers.
“Thomas has been the guy for us all season long, he’s our go-to guy and we know that,” Abshier said. “We have to give him the ball and let him go with it. If he can break one or two long ones and get us going, we could stay in the game.”
Dumas, the No. 3 seed from the 4A-8 Conference, features junior quarterback Darion Griswold (6-3, 230), who threw for 3,000 yards and 28 touchdowns as a sophomore.
The Bobcats also have running backs Darius Foster (6-0, 185) and Jamereon Buchanan (5-10, 175) to carry the load in their rushing attack.
“Dumas spreads the ball out, they attack whenever they can,” Abshier said. “Their quarterback is a huge kid, a deep baller. It’s pretty amazing to see how good they are.
“If we want to have any chance, we’re going to have to tackle well and prevent them from having any big plays, that’s all that matters. We have to contain what they do well, and that’s not going to be easy.”
Today’s Class 4A Playoff Ticket
Prairie Grove at Dumas
KICKOFF: 7:30 p.m.
WHERE: Tidwell Field.
RECORDS: Prairie Grove Tigers, 4-6; Dumas Bobcats, 8-2.
COACHES: Prairie Grove, Danny Abshier; Dumas, Mark Courtney.
LAST WEEK: Prairie Grove defeated Gravette 44-17; Dumas defeated Hamburg 41-8.
HOOTEN’S RANKINGS: Prairie Grove is ranked No. 29 in 4A; Dumas is No. 9.
HOOTEN’S LINE: Dumas by 7.
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