Laird shines in first career start for Prairie Grove

PRAIRIE GROVE — Zeke Laird took advantage of his first career start.

The senior quarterback threw four touchdown passes to lead Prairie Grove a 35-14 victory over Farmington on Friday night at Tiger Stadium.

Isaac Disney scored on pass plays of 37 and 67 yards while Clay Fidler scored on plays of 48 and 15 yards.

Laird, the son of Prairie Grove defensive coordinator Craig Laird, finished 8-of-14 for 270 yards with no interceptions.

“It’s not like he’s out there because he’s a coach’s son,” Prairie Grove coach Danny Abshier said. “He’s out there because he’s good, and he’s been waiting his time.”

The victory ended a twogame ended losing streak to Farmington, which plays in the 5A-West.

Laird completed a 54-yard pass to Fidler when Prairie Grove scored on the last play of the first half to take a 13-0 lead. Farmington’s only score came in the third quarter after Caleb Williams broke loose for a 44- yard gain. Quarterback Trey Waggle then scored on a 1-yard run.

Laird, who appeared to throw better as the game progressed, credited his linemen and receivers for his strong showing on Friday.

“Our linemen gave me a little more time and my receivers were getting open,” Laird said. “They did all the work. I just got them the ball.”

Prairie Grove pulled a surprise near the end of the second quarter to gain some distance against the Cardinals. The Tigers took over at their 44 with 14 seconds left in the second quarter. But instead of running out the clock, Laird threw a pass down the middle to Fidler, who was finally tackled at the Farmington 1 with five second left. Laird threw incomplete before Reed Orr went off tackle to give the Tigers a two-touchdown lead after the extra point was blocked.

Prairie Grove’s first score came on a 48-yard pass play from Laird to Fidler in the first quarter. Fidler did most of the work after he caught a pass over the middle about 15 yards downfield. He then turned to the sidelines and outran the pursuit for a 48-yard touchdown.

Farmington was in position to open the scoring after Jake Oakley blocked to give the Cardinals possession at the Prairie Grove 12. But Prairie Grove held and the Tigers took over at their 5-yard line.