Rivalry Showcases Cards Vs. Tigers

TUESDAY GAME THIS YEAR

FARMINGTON — Allen Holland Field will showcase the Farmington/Prairie Grove annual football rivalry with a new twist this year — the game will be played on Tuesday, Aug. 29.

For 2017, Prairie Grove has a new athletic director in Joey Sorters. He has served as assistant high school principal since 2008 and is no stranger to the rivalry. The Tigers added another paid assistant, hiring volunteer Nik Paroubek.

Sorters, who took over duties in June, emphasized reminding fans of the rivalry that the game is scheduled for a Tuesday night instead of the traditional Friday night battle.

“I was told that it might draw more people,” Sorters said.

With few competing games scheduled on Tuesday, the eyes of northwest Arkansas focus on the rivalry. Farmington athletic director Brad Blew said the game could have been scheduled on any day that week, but Tuesday was chosen instead of Friday to showcase the ‘Battle of 62.’

“We want to be the only game in town,” Blue said. “If the weather works out, I think we’ll have a big ol’ time. That’s the logic behind it.”

In each of the last two rivalry games, one team was scoreless at halftime and lost.

Prairie Grove dominated last year’s game after flipping the field early in the contest. Jake Oskey’s blocked punt set up Farmington’s offense deep in Prairie Grove territory at the 12, but the Tiger defenders were up to the challenge. They forced Farmington to turn the ball over on downs, then sent their offense out onto the field. Overcoming a penalty and moving to mid-field, Prairie Grove went aerial with Clay Fidler hauling in a 48-yard touchdown pass to open the scoring en route to a 35-14 Tiger win.

The storyline was nearly the opposite in 2015. The Cardinals executed on deep pass routes with Brice Waggle tossing touchdown passes of 41 and 30 yards to Trenton McChristian, who added a 77-yard kickoff return for a touchdown. Farmington dominated defensively and won by two touchdowns, 28-12.

Prairie Grove fans (left photo) and Farmington fans (right photo) cheer during the 2016 football rivalry game.

Farmington youth, such as Becca Brown (above photo), are eager to cheer for the Cardinals in their long-standing gridiron rivalry against Prairie Grove. (Left photo) Prairie Grove defensive back Clay Fidler knocks a pass away from Cardinal receiver Xavier Staten during last year’s Farmington/Prairie Grove gridiron rivalry played at Prairie Grove’s Tiger Den Stadium.

A pair of Prairie Grove defenders bring down Farmington running back Caleb Williams during last year’s gridiron rivalry won 35-14 by Prairie Grove at home. This season’s game will be played on Tuesday, Aug. 29, at Farmington’s Allen Holland Field. Kickoff is at 7 p.m.

Farmington defensive back Skylar Montez knocks Prairie Grove halfback Anthony Johnson off his feet during last year’s game.