AJ Dixson takes pride in being part of three Prairie High School athletic teams that reached the postseason in 2018-19.
But what made Prairie’s football playoff appearance so special is how that became a turning point for him and his teammates.
“It was a huge milestone for us,” Dixson said. “It was cool to say our (junior) class was one of the reasons we made a push for the playoffs.”
Dixson and the Falcons feel they’re not done. They boast a large senior class and seven returning offensive and defensive starters from a team that reached the playoffs for the first time in eight seasons.
This article is part of The Columbian's High School Fall Sports 2019 special section, published in print on Sept. 1. View it online.
Prairie is aiming higher, but it didn’t get there overnight.
The program has taken baby steps in recent years that led up to last season’s breakthrough: reaching the 3A state preliminary round before falling to Lincoln (Tacoma) for the program’s first playoff berth since going 6-4 in 2011.
Second-year head coach Mike Peck, in his third year overall at Prairie, calls this team a special group, and has it believing beyond competing for a league title. But that’s first on the agenda as part of continuing to take steps forward after a big step in 2018.
“That’s what we’re working hard for,” Peck said. “Our kids are leading that vision and it’s cool to see them excited about where the program is progressing to.”
For Dixson, an all-league quarterback and an experienced at receiver, satisfaction doesn’t end by reaching the postseason. Now, it’s returning and winning.
“I feel like that sparks us a bit and makes us want to get better,” he said.
3 things to know
— Ex-Battle Ground head coach Larry Peck is Prairie’s defensive coordinator.
— The Falcons reached the playoffs for the second time in 20 seasons.
— Prairie returns seven offensive, seven defensive starters.
