PRAIRIE GROVE -- Danny Abshier peers through his glasses into the distance and correctly singles out the Bryant twins as they make their ways to practice.
It was a challenge the Prairie Grove football coach made to himself when Colin and Stone Bryant were freshmen.
Class 4A
Prairie Grove at Pea Ridge
Blackhawk Stadium
KICKOFF 7 p.m.
RECORDS Prairie Grove 6-0, 3-0; Pea Ridge 6-0, 3-0
ON THE AIR The game will be live-streamed at pgtelco.com, click on Prairie Grove sports
BETWEEN THE LINES The game that everyone in the 4A-1 Conference has had circled on their calendars is finally here, and both teams come in without a loss. Prairie Grove pounded Shiloh Christian last week 35-21, although the game was close for three quarters and wasn’t decided until a late pick-6. Pea Ridge outscored Gravette 42-28, but the defense had issues as Gravette RB Austin O’Brien rushed for 283 yards. … Prairie Grove brings a 25-game regular season win streak into the game and has dominated this matchup for more than a decade. … The Tigers have a powerful team that punishes opponents with a strong run game and an experienced, swarming defense. … Pea Ridge’s offense is outstanding with top skill position players all over the field, but the Blackhawks’ defense is young. … While the run game is Prairie Grove’s forte, the Tigers can throw. Senior QB John David Elder has improved each week and has weapons in twins Stone and Colin Bryant. … Pea Ridge RB Drew Winn has rushed for more than 1,100 yards and 17 TDs. … The Blackhawks senior WRs Hayden Holtgrewe and Jordan Witcher have combined for 70 catches. The winner of this game likely wins the 4A-1 Conference title and the coveted home-field playoff advantage that comes with it.
PLAYERS TO WATCH Prairie Grove — RB Anthony Johnson (Sr., 5-9, 190), QB John David Elder (Sr., 6-2, 160), LB Dustin Burton (Sr., Sr., 6-0, 215), TE/DE Demarkus Cooper (Sr., 6-0, 250). Pea Ridge — QB Jakota Sainsbury (Sr., 5-11, 180), RB Drew Winn (Sr., 6-0, 180), LB Tristin Brewer (Sr., Jr., 5-7, 193), SS Carson Rhine (Jr., 5-10, 160), WR Hayden Holtgrewe (Sr., 6-1, 170).
HOOTEN’S RANKINGS Prairie Grove is No. 5 in Class 4A; Pea Ridge is No. 2.
HOOTEN’S LINE Prairie Grove by 2.
OUR TAKE Pea Ridge 24, Prairie Grove 20.
— CHIP SOUZA • @NWACHIP
"Colin's the one on the left, Stone's on the right," Abshier said of the senior starters. "I told them in the ninth grade I was going to make it a point to be able to tell the difference between the two. Here they are seniors, and if they're away from each other, I still can't tell them apart."
There's not much difference in appearance and ability between Stone and Colin Bryant. Stone, who wears No. 33, starts at receiver and Colin, who wears No. 88, at wing back. Both also play in the defensive secondary for the Tigers (6-0, 3-0 4A-1 Conference) who face Pea Ridge (6-0, 3-0) tonight in a league showdown.
Stone had an outstanding game last week with two touchdown catches and two interceptions in Prairie Grove's 35-21 victory over Shiloh Christian. He now has four interceptions on the season, which is one less than Colin, who leads the Tigers with five.
Stone's touchdown catches went for 30 and 55 yards and he had a 67-yard reception that led to a score when Shiloh Christian controlled the ball for most of the first quarter. His first touchdown catch came on a 50-50 ball that Stone ripped away from a Shiloh Christian defender in the end zone.
"Watching the film, I still don't know how he made the catch," Pea Ridge coach Stephen Neal said. "It looked like the other kid had it. He had a great game for himself, and we've got to know where he's at on the field at all times."
Stone and Colin Bryant are enjoying solid senior seasons after missing time last year because of injuries. Colin (6-foot-1, 170) missed half the year with a concussion, and Stone (6-0, 165) was slowed by a shoulder injury that required surgery in March. Colin eventually returned to the team and made one start when cornerback and receiver Isaac Disney was injured.
The twins are making up for lost time and producing on both sides of the ball for the Tigers, who've won 25 consecutive games in the regular season. Stone has 11 catches for 357 yards and six touchdowns, while Colin has five catches for 125 yards and two touchdowns. Colin has also rushed 10 times for 66 yards and one touchdown. On defense, Colin starts at cornerback while Stone patrols the back end at safety.
"I like the aggressiveness of both of them," Abshier said. "They want to excel. They really help each other out and back each other up. If you gave one of them trouble, the other one might be standing there right beside him."
The Bryant twins were born in Mountain Home, where Colin arrived one minute before his brother. They started attending school in first grade at Prairie Grove and have developed a tight bond that is consistent in identical twins. Stone was the first to check on his brother after Colin came off the field limping last week, and Colin was the first to rave about his brother's performance against Shiloh Christian. Colin also had an interception to stop a Shiloh Christian drive just before halftime.
"It was incredible," Colin said of his brother's performance. "That interception in the fourth quarter was a game-changer. It took the momentum away and helped us win the game."
Prairie Grove will need another strong performance to get past Pea Ridge, which is eager to return to Little Rock after losing to Warren in the Class 4A state championship game last year. The Blackhawks are averaging 40 points per game behind running back Drew Winn, who rushed for 314 yards last week against Gravette, and quarterback Jakota Sainsbury, who has completed 67 percent of his passes.
"They're a good team, for sure," Colin said. "Drew Winn, he's a strong back and he's fast. We've got to wrap up and tackle because he can make you miss."
Colin and Stone are undecided about their plans after high school. Stone said he might attend a trade school. Whatever they decide the twins will be remembered for their senior season together, even if their head coach couldn't tell them apart after four years.
Sports on 10/13/2017