Washington County Enterprise-Leader
Tigers Earn Win
DEFENSE POSTS SHUTOUT
PRAIRIE GROVE — A much-maligned Tiger defense, which were raked over the coals after giving up over 30 points in the first two games, rose to the occasion Friday.
Prairie Grove (1-2) built some confidence going into the conference season with a nonconference, 19-0, win at Pottsville (1-2) Friday. The Tigers found the going much harder than in last November’s runaway 56-21 playoff victory at home.
Pottsville senior Justin Mullinax (6-0, 150) did what he could to spark the Apache offense along with classmate Hayden Weatherall, big No. 70, a 6-2, 270-pound tackle,
who made it his job to seek and level a defender on play after play. Many a Tiger was knocked to the ground bearing the brunt of Weatherall’s pancake blocks.
Pottsville twice fielded kickoffs at its own 23 and running straight up the right hash crossed the 40. Mullinax had a 20-yard return to the 43 and Robert Teeter added a 22-yard runback to the 45. Despite good field position and giving up a 37-yard pass reception by Mullinax on a play when Pottsville picked up a blitz; the Apaches could not punch the ball in. Try as he might, Weatherall could not block everybody and Prairie Grove kept the Apaches from tasting touchdown.
Senior Ethan Guenther (5-11, 224) threw twice for scores in his first start at quarterback giving Prairie Grove a 12-0 first quarter lead at Pottsville. Guenther began the season as backup quarterback to Ethan Scates and also starting at tight end. Sophomore Knox Laird, son of defensive coordinator Craig Laird, is the third Tiger signal caller.
“We’re three deep at quarterback,” Prairie Grove coach Abshier said looking at the roster in the preseason.
Scates was injured during week two sending Guenther into the starting role. Guenther hit Kaine Caswell in stride for a 65-yard touchdown pass at the 7:02 mark of the first quarter, then added a 13-yard touchdown pass to Symoyah Hobbs with 23 seconds left in the opening period. The Tigers’ third score came via a 10-yard touchdown run by Garrett Heltemes in the third quarter.
PRAIRIE GROVE 19, POTTSVILLE 0 Prairie Grove 12 0 7 0 — 19 Pottsville 0 0 0 0 — 0 FIRST QUARTER
Prairie Grove — Kaine Caswell 65-yard pass from Ethan Guenther (2-point conversion failed), 7:02. Prairie Grove — Symoyah Hobbs 13-yard pass from Ethan Guenther (2-point conversion failed), :23.
THIRD QUARTER
Prairie Gove — Garrett Heltmes 11yard run (Cade Walker kick), 5:00