Junior Tigers Ready To Roar In 2012

PRAIRIE GROVE — Junior high head football coach, John Elder, and his staff have built an impressive program at Prairie Grove.

Elder’s teams have only lost two contests in the last three seasons, and now players from those three classes makeup what should be a solid program at the senior high level. The 2012 version of the junior Tigers have the pieces to continue the winning tradition, however, like it is at the beginning of most seasons Elder has a lot of questions still unanswered. “We still have a lot of uncertainty out there,” Elder said. “We are pretty raw and won’t really be able to answer some of our questions until we step on the field against another opponent.”

One position Elder feels good about is at quarterback. Ninth grader Dylan Soehner split time at quarterback last season and takes the reins full-time this year. At 6-feet-3 inches, Soehner is a behemoth with a strong arm who will prove to be intimidating when he tucks the ball and runs. Elder plans to use a rotation in the backfield, with “determined” halfback Blake Faulk, teaming with “tough” running fullback Cole Walker in one platoon, while “shifty” running halfback Syd Walker will partner up with “coachable” fullback Reed Orr in the other platoon.

At 6-feet-3 inches, tight end Jack Stone will provide Soehner with a big target in the intermediate passing game, while receiver Gavin Heltemes provides a threat with his open-field running prowess. “Athletic” Sam Dodd will share time at the wingback spot with Nick Kincaid, a player capable of making “big-plays”, according to Elder.

Dakota Hutchinson, the only returning starter on the offensive line, will anchor the group from his guard position. At the other guard will be “athletic big guy” Hayden Hudspeth, while “big and strong” Andrew Carrillo will team with “mobile” Dallas Lott at the tackle spots. Andrew Stark and Darren Hopson are still engaged in a tight battle for the center spot.

Lott will lock down the nose guard spot, with Hutchinson and Hudspeth also seeing some snaps in the defensive trenches. Stone will be bookended by “athletic and strong” Coty Hoskins at the D-end positions.

Dodd and Cole Walker are returning starters at outside backer and middle backer respectively. They will be joined by Orr and Hutchison at the other middle spots and Faulk on the outside. Cole McClellan will add depth to the linebacking corp.

Heltemes and Kincaid will provide coverage at the cornerback spots, while Syd Walker will occupy the free safety position.