Battle For Prairie Grove's QB Position

 STAFF PHOTO ANDY SHUPE Dylan Soehner, Prairie Grove quarterback, makes a pass attempt while playing 7-on-7 Monday at Jarrell Williams Bulldog Stadium in Springdale.

STAFF PHOTO ANDY SHUPE Dylan Soehner, Prairie Grove quarterback, makes a pass attempt while playing 7-on-7 Monday at Jarrell Williams Bulldog Stadium in Springdale.

Friday, July 11, 2014

SPRINGDALE -- Will Prairie Grove's starting quarterback for the 2014 football season please step forward?

It's something Tigers coach Danny Abshier would like to see take place before the regular season rolls around, but so far none of the four candidates have pulled away from the pack. That means they are all getting their share of the work in hopes of proving themselves during the offseason, which includes time spent Monday night during the NWA Passing League 7-on-7 competition.

"At the Class 4A level, we like to provide that depth with everybody on call," Abshier said. "Everybody has a position on offense because you never know what's going to happen during the year. You could have an injury or a buckle snap, and you want to have somebody else that can go.

"We listed four guys at quarterback, but at the same time we may also have four players listed at right guard or right tackle. We don't have that many people, but that's how many we have at that position. Right now, nobody has taken the bull by the horns and said, 'I'll be the starting quarterback.'"

If the season could pan out the way Abshier would plan it, senior Ryan Morrell -- last year's backup to starter Jacob Storlie -- would assume the starting role, while junior Sam Dodd assumes the backup role. Instead, 6-foot-7 junior Dylan Soehner, last year's starting tight end, and sophomore Zeke Laird have shared time directing Prairie Grove's offense during the offseason.

Soehner started at quarterback for the Tigers' junior high team two years ago, while Laird had that role last year. Both of them split time at the position Monday, while Morrell and Dodd weren't there.

"We don't know who's winning at that position right now," Soehner said. "We've just been playing it by ear right now, and everybody has been given their share of reps.

"When two-a-days get here, I think we'll still be doing this, where everybody gets a share of reps. Then by the time the season rolls around, it will be placed on one guy. He may be ready or maybe not. We'll see what happens."

Abshier said the search began as far back as basketball season, when he tried to groom Morrell for the position. Morrell then played baseball in the spring, so Soehner received the work at that time.

The jostling for that position has continued throughout the summer because players have been away from workouts for various reasons. Abshier said Soehner has been the most consistent with his attendance during the workouts, but even Laird -- the smallest and the youngest of the group -- still has an equal opportunity to emerge.

"Coach has told me that I'm not the first man right now, but he wants me to play like I am," Laird said. "He said even if I'm not, I'm pushing them and helping the team in the long run.

"He told me to play like I'm fighting for the starting role, every day. Right now, I just want to get better and try to catch the coach's eye and show him that if it comes down to it, I can be the man for the job."

Sports on 07/11/2014