Issue link: http://www.epageflip.net/i/1282037
PRAIRIE GROVE — The last two years Prairie Grove came within one game of winning the conference championship finishing as 4A-1 Junior High Runner-up to Shiloh Christian. The one-game post- season playoff has been eliminated so the regular season will once again decide the conference title. The advantage to removing the playoff is that teams within the conference will revert to playing each other every season, which didn't happen the last two seasons under the other format. LEAGUE OUTLOOK Coach John Elder, now in his 18th season at the helm of the junior Tiger program, said Shiloh Christian figures to again be a tough opponent, but isn't sure yet how the league might shape up with Elkins and Huntsville added. He thinks Gravette will be improved. "I think they will keep on getting better and better. They've had a couple of years they've been down," Elder said. "Pea Ridge is out. That's kind of different. We'll see Berryville again. Last year we split up in an East-West deal so we didn't play Berryville at all or see them at all [in junior high] so I don't have a clue what they have. Green Forest, we'll see them, too, because they are still in our conference. I don't know anything about them. We haven't played them or seen them in a couple of years." OFFENSE Quarterback Last season Conner Hubbs split time at quarterback with Tate Benoit, then a freshman. Benoit is now a sophomore while Hubbs slides over to halfback with Luke Vance, who moved in from DeQueen last season, playing quarterback. "He's a pretty good leader, pretty vocal and I like him at quarterback," Elder said. "He does a good job there. He's that leader type that you kind of like to have at quarterback." "Conner is a leader out there [too]. The kids all respect him," Elder said. Halfback "At halfback, we've got Conner Hubbs. Hubbs played and started. He kind of switched out at quarterback last year," Elder said. "He's probably our best over- all athlete on the team." Elder seeks to maximize Hubbs' opportunities so he probably won't play the role of directing the offense. "We're going to use him at running- back some, but we can still use him at quarterback, too," Elder said. Fullback Freshman Joseph Sims moved from tight end to fullback. He made an impres- sion on the coaches last season and has good hands. Wingback Coaches expect Asher Linn to help the team out by playing wingback. "He's starting to grow a little bit, get bigger, and fill his shoes out a little bit more," Elder said. "He knows what to do and I like him because he can do things for you. He makes plays." Eighth-grader Baylor Kissinger is big and strong, whom coaches anticipate will contribute at wingback. Receivers Eric Henderson and Cole Ashley proj- ect as a pair of new receivers for the junior Tigers in 2020. "Neither one of them played last year so we'll see what they can do," Elder said. Wednesday, August 26, 2020 Enterprise-Leader 13C F o o t b a l l P r e v i e w It's tIme for the professIonals ... T R E E S E R V I C E PR A I R I E GR O V E 4 7 9 - 6 0 1 - 5 5 9 1 4 7 9 - 8 4 6 - 43 3 3 Whether it's a clean-up from a storm or a spruce up from summer growth, turn over your tree trimming chores to Circle B Prairie Grove Tree. After all, they've developed a skill and intertwined a heritage of being the best at what they do. Strong work ethics and living life in rural Northwest Arkansas, owner and operator of Circle B Prairie Grove Tree, Nathan West is simply a cut above the rest. Carrying on a legacy built by his longtime friend, Ray Braly, Nathan West delivers what he promises. Tree Trimming done right.... you betcha!!!! Junior Tigers Reload In Revamped League PRAIRIE GROVE JUNIOR HIGH FOOTBALL PREVIEW By Mark Humphrey ENTERPRISE-LEADER MARK HUMPHREY ENTERPRISE-LEADER Prairie Grove head junior high football coach John Elder, shown with his youngest daughter, Kenleigh, is now in his 18th year at the helm of the program. Kenleigh Elder served as manager last season helping her daddy. SEE JUNIOR TIGERS PAGE 14C