PRAIRIE GROVE — Prairie Grove coach Danny Abshier said the Tigers’ second-round playoff game against Pottsville was the biggest come-from-behind victory he’s been involved in.
Abshier may have to reconsider that statement following another exciting comeback victory by the Tigers.
That Figures
20.6 — Average yards per catch by Prairie Grove receivers
49 — Combined points scored by Prairie Grove in the fourth quarter against Pottsville and Nashville
131 — Yards rushing by Weston Bartholomew
Prairie Grove scored four touchdowns in the fourth quarter to rally past Nashville 41-34 and advance to the Class 4A state semifinals at Stuttgart. Quarterback Cooper Winters threw four touchdowns for the Tigers (12-0), who trailed 28-14 after three quarters.
The game was similar to the previous week when Prairie Grove beat Pottsville 34-28 after trailing 28-12 late in the third quarter. Brandon Nodier forced a fumble late in the game, Dalton Faulk recovered and Weston Bartholomew scored the winning touchdown with 1 minute, 15 seconds left to play.
Prairie Grove took the lead against Nashville after a 3-yard run by Colby Elkins, but the Scrappers got to within 35-34 after a touchdown catch by Donyell King with 1:18 to play. Nashville attempted to regain the lead on a two-point conversion attempt, but the Scrappers fumbled near the goal line and Jacob Kahl recovered for the Tigers.
The play left Nashville trailing 35-34, and the Scrappers tried an onside kick that Elkins fielded on a bounce and returned about 50 yards for the touchdown. Nashville had one final possession, but the game ended after a catch near midfield.
“That (victory) goes back to how closely bonded this whole team is,” said Winters, the Tigers’ senior quarterback. “Everyone has trust in each other.”
PLAY OF THE NIGHT: How do you pick one play in a game with 75 total points and several lead changes? A handful of plays would suffice, but Winters’ touchdown pass to Noah Hunter with 7:02 left to play enabled the Tigers to tie the game 28-28.
PLAYER OF THE GAME: Winters’ senior leadership and playmaking ability emerged when the Tigers needed him most. The senior quarterback was composed and he gave his receivers extra time by scrambling around and keeping his eyes downfield. Winters engineered Prairie Grove’s fourth-quarter flurry and finished the night 8-of-14 for 165 yards and four touchdowns without an interception.
INJURY UPDATE: There were no serious injuries.
NOTEABLE: Prairie Grove will advance to the state semifinals for the first time since 2003 when the Tigers were eliminated 46-14 by Rivercrest. Rivercrest lost 64-32 the following week to Pulaski Academy in the Class AAA state championship game. Prairie Grove finished the season 11-3, including a 23-12 victory over Nashville in the second round of the playoffs.
THE LINGO: “I said (to the players) somebody is going to give up in this game and don’t let it be you. It wasn’t either team. Nobody gave up in this game.”
— Danny Abshier
Prairie Grove coach
UP NEXT: Prairie Grove will go on the road for the first time in the playoffs and travel to Stuttgart on Friday for a semifinal game. Stuttgart (11-1) advanced with a 27-6 victory over Warren.