PRAIRIE GROVE — Prairie Grove appeared in danger of a significant drop-off after losing the bulk of a team that lost only one game last year.
J.D. Speed and his teammates made sure that hasn’t happened. Speed is a senior and the most versatile player for the Tigers (9-1), who will host Pulaski Robinson (6-4) on Friday in the fi rst round of the Class 4A state playoff s.
Prairie Grove had to replaced 17 seniors, including all-state players Weston Bartholomew, Jacob Kahl and Jared Murphy from a team that won 12 consecutive games before reaching the state semifinals for only the third time in school history. But a new batch of seniors led Prairie Grove back into the playoffs after going undefeated in 4A-1 Conference play for the second consecutive year.
“The seniors from last year were good leaders and we’ve followed them,” said Speed, who is also a third baseman and pitcher for the Prairie Grove baseball team. “It was up to us to keep it going.”
He is a two-way standout at running back and outside linebacker for the Tigers, whose only loss was 28-21 to Class 5A Morrilton early in the season. Speed is second on the team in rushing with 492 yards on 63 carries and tied for fifth with 19 tackles, including one sack and one interception. He is also a punter and placekicker.
“J.D. has been an invaluable player for us,” Prairie Grove coach Danny Abshier said. “He’s played wingback, halfback and he’s even worked some at fullback. He’s a quick learner and very versatile.”
Lincoln coach Brad Harrison has watched Speed compete against his teams for two years after Speed transferred from Bentonville. Speed helped his team force five turnovers when Lincoln lost its only game of the season, 40-19, to Prairie Grove.
“In football, (Speed) is a playmaker on defense, very quick and explosive,” said Harris, whose team opens the playoffs at home against Nashville on Friday. “Baseball-wise, (Speed) is a very solid third baseman and a tough out. He pitched against us in the district tournament and did a nice job with his location and mixing pitches to keep us off balance.”
Prairie Grove fi nished 7-0 in 4A-1 Conference play after barely avoiding an upset loss at Pea Ridge. Speed had touchdown runs of 23 and 14 yards last week when the Tigers defeated Gravette 28-7 to end the regular season.
Prairie Grove is hopeful for another surge in the playoff s after reaching the state semifinals last year. The Tigers earned playoff victories over Crossett, Pottsville and Nashville before losing 32-15 to Stuttgart, the eventual state champions in Class 4A.
“The Crossett game, we didn’t really know what to expect,” Speed said of a 52-0 victory that launched the Tigers’ playoff run. “We came together and played really. We achieved our main goal by winning conference again and, hopefully, we’ll be able to take it to the next level in the playoffs.”