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PRAIRIE GROVE — Donning school colors of black and gold couldn't be more appropriate for Prairie Grove's 2020 football team, which could develop into a dark-horse candidate for a deep playoff run. The Tigers have depth, led by a pair of returning All-Conference players in seniors Cade Grant and David Hall in a league that will look a lot different this season. Pea Ridge moved up to Class 5A while Lincoln moved down to Class 3A. Huntsville and Elkins are new to the 4A-1. Prairie Grove head coach Danny Abshier (199-114-2) will go after 200 career wins, in the season opener Sept. 6, against Farmington, but that's never been his top prior- ity only a by-product of quality coaching. Abshier has now been at Prairie Grove 30 years — the last 28 as head coach. Last season the Tigers finished 4-7 overall after an 0-3 start. The nonconference schedule also features whole- sale changes this season with the exception of a rivalry game at home with Farmington. Pea Ridge comes to town Sept. 11 with a new coach. In week three Prairie Grove faces a familiar coach, Don Harrison, now at Stilwell, Okla., after being dismissed by Lincoln in January. Prairie Grove has never won a football state champi- onship, but in a year when they're not picked to win the conference, they could emerge as a dark-horse candidate to make another deep state playoff run for the first time since an appearance in the the 2017 State 4A quarterfinals. Prairie Grove will have opportunity to break losing streaks against both Farmington and Pea Ridge at home, something Tiger fans are more than ready to celebrate should that happen. The team strength features a good mix from classes of seniors, juniors and sophomores with experience. Prairie Grove has 13 returning players, seven on offense and six on defense. OFFENSE Quarterback Senior Knox Laird (5-11, 160), son of defensive coordina- tor Craig Laird, is the starter with juniors, Paytin Higgins (5-9, 145), and Alex Helms (5-11, 160) as backups. "Knox has not missed a beat since last year," Abshier said. "He's so sharp, so intelligent, knows what we want to do and knows what he wants to do at times." Higgins presses for playing time and Abshier likes what both bring to the table. "Paytin is very athletic. He can make things happen," Abshier said. "He's a little light. We probably won't run him up the middle very much. He's fast and elusive." Halfback As Prairie Grove's leading rusher, Grant (5-11, 200) gained 18 pounds over the off-season. Grant carried the ball 75 times for 600 yards averaging 8-yards-per-carry scoring 5 touchdowns with a long run of 51 yards. He didn't fumble. Grant maximized his 3 catches stretching out the yardage total to 75 with a long gain of 34. He aver- aged 25 yards-per-catch. "He's heavy enough, he runs well. He's a heavier version of last year and just as fast," Abshier said. Sophomore Ethan Miller (5-10, 160) has 4.6 speed and can make tacklers miss. "I think he will help," Abshier said. "He wants to be in the front. He catches the ball well. He stands out." Senior Ethan Beason (5-10, 160), junior Cooper Single- ton (5-8, 160), and sophomore Collin Faulk (5-9, 160) add depth. Fullback Returning starter senior Foster Layman (5-11, 185) is among the fastest Tigers. "He will probably run it a whole bunch. He's a little bit stronger," Abshier said. Abe Caves (5-9, 160) also plays fullback and Kade Walker (5-10, 165), who didn't play last year, looks sharp. Sophomore Rhett Marrell (5-9, 155) ran the ball extremely well last year in junior high and presents one more potential weapon. Wingback Senior David Hall (5-9, 185) can play wingback and runs the ball tough and hard. "He's a good, strong blocker, the most aggressive guy we got. He wants to carry the ball," Abshier said. Abshier likes junior Kobe Frazier (5-10, 160) at wing- back while junior Landon Semrad (6-3, 181), who's loaded with potential, may split time between wide receiver and wingback. Tight End Senior Caden Redfern (6-2, 190) returns as the starter with junior Dalton Frazier (5-9, 180) and sophomore Matthew Velasco (6-0, 225) stocking the position with quality athletes. Velasco impressed the staff by knowing what to do and playing multiple positions and acting like another coach on the field. "He helps people, who don't know what to do," Abshier said. MARK HUMPHREY ENTERPRISE-LEADER Prairie Grove senior Cade Grant (5-11, 200), shown making a tackle in run support against Farmington last year, bulked up 18 pounds over the off-season without losing any speed. Grant switches from cornerback to safety as a returning starter in the secondary. Wednesday, August 26, 2020 Enterprise-Leader 11C F o o t b a l l P r e v i e w Funeral Home 115 N. Neal • Prairie Grove, ar 479-846-2141 The Luginbuel Family has been in the funeral service business for more than 100 years! We support TiGer FooTball! Thurs-Sun By appointment only due to Covid -19 restrictions 101 Buchanan • Prairie Grove 479-846-2937 www.backwoodsaxehouse.net Go Tigers! Tigers Represent Dark-Horse Team By Mark Humphrey ENTERPRISE-LEADER SEE TIGERS PAGE 12C