PRAIRIE GROVE — Change is a gradual process at Prairie Grove.
That's the way it's been since Coach Danny Abshier took over the program 16 years ago.
Not that the Tigers have much reason to complain. Abshier has taken them to the playoffs each of the past 13 years.
It's just that when a system has worked well for an extended period of time, the natural tendency is to stick with it.
Take, for example, the Tigers' run-based Wing-T offense that Abshier learned as an assistant under Tom Tice at Harrison in the late 1980s. Abshier has tried to integrate the popular, passoriented Spread offense each of the past few years, but he always seems to fall back on the more familiar Wing-T.
"Almost everyone spreads it now," said Abshier, 47. "I poked around at it without much knowledge. We're transitioning around now, and we're ready to do both."
Installing a new offense is a tall order, but Abshier insists there is a method to his madness. The plan for now - however tentative it might be - is to switch back and forth between the Wing-T and the Spread.
"If you've learned how to do something one way and had success, then you try evolving into something else, you fall back into what's proven," he said. "I know to be successful, you have to be able to pass and run. When you're passing it more, you have to be patient, and I didn't have the patience."
That is where Prairie Grove offensive coordinator John Elder comes into the picture.
Elder has become Abshier's right-hand man when it comes to developing rhythm and timing with the Spread offense.
"It takes a while to gain his trust," Elder said. "Now he's starting to be a little more free with me."
Abshier hopes to keep Elder around as long as he can, but he still takes pride in his role as ateacher. Former Prairie Grove defensive coordinator Hugh Lumpkin left this year to become head coach at Clarendon.
If Abshier grooms a few more head coaches, it won't be a coincidence. He honed his trade under the guidance of some of the best.
The learning process began when Abshier played fullback at Farmington under Coach Allen Holland, who had previously won state championships with the Cardinals in 1972 and 1973. Abshier said he developed his fire and intensity from Holland.
"Grit is the word," Abshier said. "He taught you to be tough and go get it. You've got no friends on the field."
While working toward a degree from Henderson State, where he played one year, Abshier began his coaching career as a part-time assistant at Arkadelphia under John Outlaw, who won state titles with the Badgers in 1979 and 1987. Outlaw then recommended him to Tice when an opening came up at Harrison.
As a recent college graduate just scraping by to make ends meet, Abshier jumped at the opportunity to learn from Tice.
"I was delivering pizzas in Arkadelphia when he called Coach Tice," Abshier said. "He hired me, a guy right out of college who thinks he knows everything but really didn't know much."
Abshier spent three years as an assistant at Harrison and said he learned about loyalty from Tice, who won a state title in 1999.
"I might not have gotten into coaching if it weren't for him," he said. "I can't hold a candle to him, but I try to model myself after what he might do. I was very ambitious, and he told me you should never sell yourself short."
Abshier moved a step closer to his goal of becoming a head coach when he accepted former Prairie Grove Coach Mark Mallett's offer to become theTigers' defensive coordinator in 1990.
Mallett, an uncle of Arkansas Razorbacks quarterback Ryan Mallett, had recently ended one of the state's longest losing streaks. The streak began during a stretch when one graduating class at Prairie Grove had a different head coach all three years.
Abshier thought they deserved better and vowed not to let that happen again.
"It has something to do with why I wanted to stay here so long," Abshier said. "I said I wasgoing to stay here until they ran me off or I turn it around. They probably should've run me off, because I wasn't ready to be a head coach."
Prairie Grove missed the playoffs each of Abshier's first three years at the helm, but the Tigers made it in 1996 and have been back every year since.
The Tigers suffered firstround losses in nine of those 13 seasons, but two of Abshier's four teams that did earn playoff victories were ones that his sons, Patrick and Robbie, played on.
Abshier said his most memorable victories were ones that ended long losing streaks against Farmington in 1994 and Huntsville three years later. That opinion is sure to change if he can ever have that one breakthrough season that ends in Little Rock for the state championship game.
"I think he'll get over the hump and then they'll always be there," said Tice, who needed 15 years to get Harrison to the state championship game for the first time. "He doesn't need to change anything.
"There's no formula for it. You just continue to work hard."
Prairie Grove Tigers
COACH Danny Abshier
LAST SEASON 5-6
OFFENSE Wing-T, Spread
DEFENSE Multiple (4-3 base, split 4)
RETURNING STARTERS Offense 9, defense 8
POINTS SCORED PER GAME 20.2
POINTS ALLOWED PER GAME 25.5
OFFENSIVE PLAYERS TO WATCH Thomas Soehner (6-2, 193, HB, Sr.), Chad Austin (6-0, 200, QB, Sr.), Dalton Phillips (5-8, 175, RB, Sr.), Braiden Lacy (6-2, 265, T, Sr.), Spencer Brown (6-1, 230, C, Jr.)
DEFENSIVE PLAYERS TO WATCH Caleb Sugg (5-10, 167, OLB, Jr.), Gabriel Olivas (5-10, 159, FS, Jr.), Stephen Thomas (5-8, 175, ILB, Jr.), Charles Stills (6-1, 161, CB, Jr.), Nick Perez (6-0, 213, NG, Jr.), Zack Schrock (5-8, 163, OLB, Sr.)
KEEP AN EYE ON Thomas Soehner. Soehner has impressive speed (4.5 seconds in the 40-yard dash) and ran for 1,103 yards and 13 touchdowns as a junior last year, averaging 6.8 yards per carry. He shared carries with Anthony Sharp but should take on more of the load as the featured back this season. He was also the leading tackler among returnees with 65 stops at strong safety last year.
OFFENSIVE OUTLOOK Prairie Grove made the playoffs last year despite averaging just 20.2 points per game, although the Tigers did score 30 in the first round of the playoffs. Soehner will be the focal point after emerging as a playmaker last year. Abshier said Austin has improved his accuracy and strength since passing for 744 yards and only three touchdowns last year. The Tigers will try to gradually incorporate the Spread offense this year, so Austin will look to pass more. Sugg, Stills, Skylar Ellis and Phillips are a few potential receiving targets.
DEFENSIVE OUTLOOK The Tigers will exhibit a variety of looks on defense, using a 4-3 as the base formation. The secondary will be a strength with Stills at cornerback, Olivas at free safety and Soehner at strong safety. Stills, a junior, had five interceptions and 36 tackles a year ago. Sugg, Thomas and Schrock are impact linebackers, and Perez has shown promise at nose guard for the Tigers, who might be a step slower on defense this year.
SEASON OUTLOOK The Tigers jumped out to a fast start in 1-4A Conference play, earning victories over Huntsville and Farmington in Weeks 4-5. But they hit a wall late in the year and lost their last three games, including home games against Gentry and Gravette to end the regular season. Still, Prairie Grove managed to reach the postseason for the 13th consecutive season. Soehner and Austin lead a revamped offense as the Tigers try to extend that streak.
KEY GAME Oct. 9 vs. Shiloh Christian. Prairie Grove was the last team to beat Shiloh Christian in conference play, knocking off the Saints at home four years ago. Shiloh Christian will be tough, but the Tigers seem to have the best shot of anyone at upsetting the defending 4A state champion. Fortunately for Prairie Grove, the schedule softens after that game until the Tigers end the regular season at Gravette.
QUOTING COACH ABSHIER "I expect to be at the top. That's what I want to do. I'd like to knock off Shiloh and give ourselves a leg up. Good luck, they're as unbeatable as I've ever seen." SCHEDULE DATE OPPONENT Sept. 4 Lavaca Sept. 11 Cassville, Mo.
Sept. 18 at West Fork Sept. 25 Huntsville Oct. 2 at Farmington Oct. 9 Shiloh Christian Oct. 16 at Berryville Oct. 23 Pea Ridge Oct. 30 at Gentry Nov. 6 at Gravette
Sports, Pages 59, 61 on 08/30/2009