Three New Opponents Greet Tigers

PRAIRIE GROVE — Three new opponents, including Green Forest which joins the 4A-1, appear on the 2018 varsity football schedule for Prairie Grove.

Non-conference series with Vian, Okla., and West Fork went away. After sustaining losses by scores of 35-14 and 41-21 in the series, Vian opted out after completing a two-year home and away series. The Wolverines will play Lincoln Christian, a Tulsa school on Sept. 7. West Fork has added 4A-1 schools Berryville (Aug. 31) and Green Forest (Sept. 14) with Green Forest taking the week three slot previously played against Prairie Grove.

Dardanelle

After opening the season against rival Farmington, Prairie Grove plays host to Dardanelle in week two on Sept. 7. The only common opponent the schools had last year was West Fork, which Dardanelle beat 42-0 on Oct. 6. The Sandlizards qualified for the 2017 state playoffs as the No. 3 seed out of the 4A-4. Dardanelle went 4-2 in the league, finishing 8-4 overall and outscoring opponents 440-189. The Sandlizards defeated Riverview, 42-10, in the first-round of the playoffs, but were eliminated, 42-14, by Pulaski Robinson on Nov. 17.

Pottsville

The Tigers wrap up non-conference play on Sept. 14 at Pottsville, which Prairie Grove steamrolled, 56-21, at home in last year’s State 4A playoffs. This year’s game figures to be tougher on the road. The Apaches listed four freshmen on their 2017 varsity roster. What impact those players will have this year as sophomores remains to be seen. Pottsville finished 6-5 overall and 4-3 in the 4A-4 in 2017. The Apaches were outscored by opponents, 331-299, last year.

Green Forest

Green Forest replaces Huntsville in the league schedule with the red and white Tigers jumping up to 4A while Huntsville reverts to 5A status. Green Forest (2-8, 1-6) didn’t fare well in the 3A-1 last season. Against common opponents, Green Forest lost to Huntsville 27-3 and Carroll County rival, Berryville, 23-20. Prairie Grove beat Huntsville, 41-14, on the road; and downed Berryville, 34-6, also in an away game. Green Forest was outscored 316-129 in 2017.

PRAIRIE GROVE TIGERS

Aug. 24: Open

Aug. 31: Farmington: 7 p.m. Sept. 7: Dardanelle: 7 p.m. Sept. 14: at Pottsville: 7 p.m.

Sept. 21: Green Forest*: 7 p.m.

Sept. 28: at Gravette*: 7 p.m.

Oct. 5: at Shiloh Christian*: 7 p.m.

Oct. 12: Pea Ridge*: 7 p.m. Oct. 19: at Gentry*: 7 p.m. Oct. 26: Berryville*: 7 p.m. Nov. 2: at Lincoln*: 7 p.m. * denotes 4A-1 Conference game

MARK HUMPHREY ENTERPRISE-LEADER Simulated snap from center. Prairie Grove senior center Cooper Allen indicates blocking assignments for the line while classmate quarterback Ethan Scates surveys the wideouts. The Tigers are preparing for their season-opener Aug. 31 hosting rival Farmington.