Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/898336
20 PREP RALLY PLAYOFF: THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2017 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 CHIP SOUZA NWA Democrat-Gazette GRAVETTE — Duke Mobley tried to speak, but the words just wouldn't come out. at's ironic considering the Gravette defensive coordinator is rarely at a loss for words on the sideline. Finally aer a couple of attempts, but in a voice that still cracked with emotion, Mobley addressed the team gathered around him. "is is special night," he said, "but we have a lot more football le to play." He tried to offer a few more words, but they were swallowed up in the whoops and yells of the Gravette players who were celebrating the program's first win over Shiloh Christian in 15 years. For Gravette, the win was significant f0r several reasons. It earned the Lions a home first-round playoff game, which was certainly cause for celebration. But perhaps even bigger than that was what it meant for their beloved coach, who announced this was his final season. A loss to Shiloh Christian would have been his final home game as a Lions coach, but the win means he gets to patrol the sideline at Lion Stadium for at least one more game. "is is just a great place," Mobley said. "e kids are outstanding. Sure, there are problems everywhere you go, but for the most part the kids here are hard-working kids. And the parents want what's best for their kids." Mobley said he never planned to stay longer than five years at Gravette. at was in 1991 when he first arrived aer serving as a junior high coach at Rogers Elmwood. at five years has turned into 27 for the Winston- Salem, N.C., native who was born in Decatur, Ga. Over that 27-year span, Mobley worked under four different head coaches including Larry Ben, who hired him away from Rogers, and later for Charlie Phillips, Wendell Robinson for one year, and with current coach Bill Harrelson for the past 12 years. Mobley said he wanted to be a head coach, but the opportunity never came and he eventually accepted that. Harrelson said Mobley's retirement will leave a huge void on his staff next season. "Just the relationships he builds with the kids is what I think we will miss the most," Harrelson said. "If you've been around Gravette football, you've seen him holler and scream. He can do that, but in the next minute, he has his arm around them and talking to them and letting them know he loves them." Mobley, who is named aer his mother's maiden name, said he's a different coach now than he was almost three decades ago. "I'm more laid-back," he said. "I was fiery. I was intense." Mobley, 64, said players were tougher back when he started coaching, many oen putting in several hours of work in the fields before they ever arrived at school, or working into the darkness when they got home aer practice. e Duke of Gravette Mobley leaves lasting legacy with Lions is is just a great place. e kids are outstanding. Sure, there are problems everywhere you go, but for the most part the kids here are hard-working kids. And the parents want what's best for their kids. " " - Duke Mobley PHOTO BY RANDY MOLL Duke Mobley, Gravette's defensive coordinator, watches a play during the game between Gravette and Shiloh Christian in Lion Stadium on Friday, Oct. 27, 2017. He was honored during the game for his years of coaching for Gravette. CLASS 4A Go Lions! Chris Taylor 120 Main St NE • Gravette, AR 72736 479-787-5421 We're your shield. We're your Shelter.