There are many similarities between the growing communities of Pea Ridge and Prairie Grove in Northwest Arkansas.
Both are home to parks with re-enactments where Civil War battles were fought. Both host unique annual events, the Mule Jump in Pea Ridge and the Clothesline Fair in Prairie Grove where square dancers provide the entertainment.
Both have undefeated and highly ranked football teams in Class 4A. Both advanced to the state semifinals last year along with Shiloh Christian, which Prairie Grove defeated last week to set up tonight's showdown.
Prairie Grove (6-0, 3-0) has won 25 consecutive regular-season games while winning four of the past five conference championships. But Pea Ridge (6-0, 3-0) is loaded again after advancing to the state championship game last year in Little Rock.
Prairie Grove will rely on a stout defense against a Pea Ridge team led by Drew Winn, who rushed for 314 yards last week again Gravette. The Blackhawks also have a solid passing game that can burn defenders who focus too much on Winn. Senior quarterback Jakota Sainsbury has quality receivers in Hayden Holtgrewe and Jordan Witcher, who've combined for 70 catches and over 1,100 yards in receptions.
Pea Ridge is eyeing a return to War Memorial Stadium after losing 54-37 to Warren in the Class 4A state championship game last December. The Blackhawks won't get there if they commit four turnovers like they did last year in a loss to Prairie Grove. Look for Pea Ridge to play a much cleaner game tonight and take the lead in the strong 4A-1 Conference.
RICK'S PICK PEA RIDGE
Other games involving teams from Northwest Arkansas (selections are capitalized).
CLASS 7A
Springdale at BENTONVILLE
FAYETTEVILLE at Rogers Heritage
Bentonville West at SPRINGDALE HAR-BER
ROGERS HIGH at Van Buren
Fort Smith Southside at BRYANT
Conway at FORT SMITH NORTHSIDE
CLASS 6A
LAKE HAMILTON at Siloam Springs
GREENWOOD at Russellville
CLASS 5A
ALMA at Clarksville
Vilonia at FARMINGTON
Greenbrier at HARRISON
CLASS 4A
SHILOH CHRISTIAN at Gentry
Berryville at GRAVETTE
Huntsville at LINCOLN
West Fork at OZARK
BOONEVILLE at Waldron
CLASS 3A
Clinton at ELKINS
MOUNTAIN VIEW at Green Forest
Marshall at GREENLAND
Cedarville at ATKINS
CHARLESTON at Lamar
CLASS 2A
Hackett at DANVILLE
LAVACA at Magazine
JOHNSON COUNTY WESTSIDE at Decatur
MOUNTAINBURG at Western Yell County
LAST WEEK 19-7 (73 percent)
OVERALL 114-32 (78 percent)
Sports on 10/13/2017