Tigers Ride Monumental Comeback

Prairie Grove Forces Fumble, Which Leads To Winning Drive

— Danny Abshier has seen a lot of football games during his long tenure as the coach at Prairie Grove.

But even Abshier admitted he’d never seen a game like Friday’s come-from-behind 34-28 win over Pottsville in a second-round Class 4A state playoff game.

That Figures

3 — Tackles for losses by Prairie Grove linebacker Brandon Nodier

21 — Plays of 10 or more yards in the game, including 12 by Prairie Grove totaling 219 yards

34.5 — Average kickoff return for the Tigers on four kicks, including Logan Bartholomew’s 75-yard touchdown return

“It’s the biggest come-from-behind game, in a big game, that I have experienced,” Abshier said. “It’s one of the most exhilarating.”

The Tigers (11-0) trailed 28-12 late in the third quarter. They had yet to complete a pass nor gain a first down. With a team that operates out of the run-first Wing-T offense, a two-touchdown deficit seemed almost insurmountable.

Then the game turned. Prairie Grove quarterback Cooper Winters suddenly got hot and found Colby Elkins in the back of the end zone for a 36-yard touchdown pass. Then Weston Bartholomew capped a short drive with a touchdown, and suddenly the Tigers were within 28-26 and just a two-point conversion away from tying the game.

But when Prairie Grove was stopped on the two-point try and then failed to cover the onside kick, it appeared the rally would come up just short.

Fate then smiled on the Tigers when Pottsville attempted to convert a fourth-and-3 with just more than three minutes left. Jared Murphy forced a Pottsville fumble, and the Tigers recovered the ball at the Apaches’ 34, which led to Bartholomew’s winning touchdown with 1 minute, 15 seconds left.

Play of the Night: There were about 10 that could qualify, but the biggest might have been Logan Bartholomew’s 75-yard kickoff return in the third quarter. Pottsville (10-2) had opened the half with a bang, scoring on its third play to take a 14-6 lead. On the ensuing kick, the Tigers ran a reverse with the ball going to Bartholomew, who raced up the right sideline and outran the Apaches to the end zone. The play became even bigger when Pottsville scored four plays later, extending the lead to 21-12. Without Bartholomew’s return, the game could have gotten out of hand.

Injury Update: There were no serious injuries reported.

Player of the Game: Murphy dominated the line of scrimmage and finished with 12 tackles, including two tackles for losses and the huge forced fumble. Murphy and Jacob Kahl were especially big in the fourth quarter when the Tigers held Pottsville to minus-8 yards of offense. Murphy also had a big 25-yard pass reception on the game-winning drive.

Notable: Weston Bartholomew had 18 carries for 127 yards and three touchdowns for the Tigers. ... Pottsville’s Corey Campbell had 11 carries for 123 yards and one TD. ... Pottsville QB Michael Perry was 5-for-5 with a pair of touchdowns.

The Lingo: “I’m thinking I’m going to run it just as hard as I can, but I wish (offensive coordinator John) Elder would call a pass play or two.”

— Danny Abshier

Prairie Grove coach, when asked what his offensive plan was after falling behind 28-12 in the third quarter

Up Next: The Tigers will host Nashville on Friday in a third-round playoff game. Nashville crushed Central Arkansas Christian 49-13.

Upcoming Events