Washington County Enterprise-Leader
Bulldozer On The Offensive Line TIGERS RECEIVE POSTSEASON ACCOLADES
PRAIRIE GROVE — Destiny seems fitting for Jacob Kahl, of Prairie Grove, to go to work on heavy equipment — given his penchant as a driving force on the Tiger offensive line.
During his storied high school football career, Kahl moved more than one mountain of manhood out of the way to clear a path for Tiger runningbacks.
Kah l wa s named Outstanding Offensive Lineman and Prairie Grove head football coach Danny Abshier was named Coach of the Year for 2012 at the 2013 Dream Team banquet.
Abshier guided the Tigers to an undefeated regular season ( 9- 0) and 4A- 1 Conference championship with an overall record of 12-1.
“He’s a great guy. I wouldn’t play for anybody else,” said runningback Weston Bartholomew. “He’d fire you up. He’s got a lot of grit that’s what I like about him.”
Kahl was a major contributor to the Tigers’ rushing attack, which gained 3,546 yards on the ground and protected q u a r te r back Cooper Winters, allowing him to throw crucial, long touchdown strikes in the Tigers’ playoff comeback wins over Pottsville (34-28) and Nashville (41-34).
“It was totally unexpected, the outstanding offensive lineman award,” Kahl said. “It made me feel really good. Coach Abshier got the Coach of the Year award, so that was pretty special getting it with him, especially in my senior year.”
“On the offensive line, especially in the interior line a lot more goes on at center and guard. There’s a whole lot more holding and punching that goes on than anywhere else that I know of just because the refs can’t see in there real well and you’re not the only one who knows that. Both teams are going at it pretty hard.”
Kahl has received more notoriety as a linebacker on defense, twice earning All- State honors at the position, yet, the recognition for his contributions on the offensive side of the football didn’t surprise Prairie Grove offensive coordinator John Elder.
“He’s really strong. He can fire off the ball and move guys,” Elder said. “He enjoys pulling. He’d go ambush those little corners or whoever’s standing out there. He enjoyed that.”
The award just didn’t happen for Kahl, who diligently labored to make himself bigger, better and stronger, which is his advice to younger kids working to earn a spot on the offensive line.
“Do a lot of drills, keep your hips low and your shoulders up. You do a lot more squats, you have to have strong legs on the offensive line for sure.”
Kahl plans to go to diesel school at Okmulgee, Okla., to get a heavy equipment education now that he has graduated from Prairie Grove.
“I’ve been dirty since day one of my life and I want to keep it that way.”
Kahl leaves the hallowed halls of Prairie Grove High School with fond memories of Tiger fans voicing adoration when the football team emerged from the locker room.
“The support they gave us was tremendous. Running out on the field and coming out of the tunnel is probably the greatest adrenaline rush you will ever get in your life. Its a true blessing to ever get great fans like that.”