PRAIRIE GROVE — Prairie Grove had hopes of another comeback victory Friday when Logan Bartholomew returned the second half kickoff 92 yards against Stuttgart.
The Tigers were trailing 18-7 at the time, and a touchdown would’ve cut Stuttgart’s lead to 4 points or even 3 with a 2-point conversion. But Prairie Grove didn’t take advantage after Bartholomew was shoved out of bounds at the 3-yard line.
Stuttgart kept the Tigers out of the end zone and took over at the 3 after quarterback Cooper Winters bobbled a snap and was swarmed on fourth down. The Ricebirds (12-1) added two more touchdowns to complete a 32-15 victory over Prairie Grove (12-1), which was making only its second appearance in a state semifinal game in school history.
Stuttgart, which owns four state championships, will now face Ozark (12-2) for the Class 4A state title at War Memorial Stadium on Saturday. Prairie Grove opened 4A-1 Conference play this season with a 30-6 victory at Ozark. But the Tigers couldn’t handle Stuttgart, which piled up 443 yards in total offense.
Prairie Grove was held to 132 total yards and managed one touchdown on offense after outscoring its previous two playoff opponents, Pottsville and Nashville, by 75-62.
PLAY OF THE NIGHT: Prairie Grove blocked a kick, and senior Jacob Kahl returned it 26 yards for the Tigers’ first touchdown late in the second quarter.
PLAYER OF THE GAME: Senior quarterback Cooper Winters ended his career by throwing for 142 yards, including a 38-yard touchdown pass to Colby Elkins.
NOTEABLE: Prairie Grove also advanced to the state semifinals in 2003 when the Tigers were eliminated 46-14 by Rivercrest. The Colts then lost 64-32 to Pulaski Academy in the Class AAA state championship game.
THE LINGO: “We couldn’t get anything going; it’s as simple as that. Their defense was too solid for us, and they stopped us.”
— Danny Abshier
Prairie Grove coach
UP NEXT: Prairie Grove finished its season with a 12-1 record.
That Figures
30 — Yards rushing by Weston Bartholomew on 10 carries
90 — Yards receiving on two catches by Dre’lon Ice of Stuttgart
324 — Total yards running and throwing by Stuttgart quarterback Dontrell Brown