PRESCOTT, Ark.-Tommy Poole has his Curley Wolves churning like a well-oiled machine. Those wheels also have Wolves one win away from riding up the highway to battle for a state championship.
You won't catch Poole detouring from what got his squad unbothered 13 weeks into the season.
"We're just going to take what the defense gives us. If they stack the box or try to stop the run, we'll throw it over the top of them. If we're covered outside, we will run the ball up the middle," said Poole.
The Newport Greyhounds travel to Prescott to take on the Curley Wolves in the Class 3A semifinals at 7 p.m. The winner will take on Glen Rose or Charleston in the state championship game in Little Rock next Saturday at 6:30 p.m.
Prescott is led by a senior dynamic-duo, who even in adverse situations lead their guys to the light. Carlos Vanhook and Derrick Flynn put the Wolves offense on their backs during a chilly, hostile game at Paul "Bear" Bryant Stadium.
"We've handled adversity all year. We had different things happen to us two or three times this year and we handled it well. That shows the strong leadership we have within this team," Poole said.
Vanhook toted the rock 20 times for 168 yards. Vanhook is also responsible for 1,157 yards and 27 touchdowns this year. Flynn had 18 rushes for 121 yards and completed seven tosses on 12 attempts with one interception against the Red Bugs. Prescott's senior dual-threat signal-caller has passed for 2,077 yards and rushed for 635 yards on the season.
The Curley Wolves also have a deep threat that is a matchup problem for any cornerback attempting to cover him. Kendarius Pearson is a 6-2 sure handed, man-child that the Curley Wolves offense will lean towards to take some slack off the sprinting pair of Flynn and Vanhook.
"He (Kendarius Pearson) is going to have to be ready when his number is called. He's been able step up and make plays for us all year. We're expecting no different Friday night," Poole said.
Prescott only punted once against Fordyce. Deonte Jamison boomed a 48-yard punt and dashed down the field to the lay the smack-down on the Red Bug punt returner. The jaw-rattling tackle led to the Fordyce player's helmet dislodging on the field.
"We have to be strong in the kicking game. He (Deonte Jamison) has been doing a real good job for us for three years. We expect good results from him,"Poole said.
Newport travels with a rushing attack in senior Jordan Neal and junior Jerry Elllis, that averaged 8.3 yards per carry against Atkins just a week ago.
"Newport is a good football team. They wouldn't be a good football team playing in the semifinals. They've been able to get a little better each week, but that is what you should expect playing in the semifinal round of the state tournament," Poole said.
The Curly Wolves committed seven penalties for 45 yards. Poole didn't shy away from minor mishaps during the climacteric quarterfinal clash a week ago.
"Our goal in every ball game is to have zero penalties. There were several of those I disagreed with but we're not going to make excuses for them. Our goal is not to have any penalties but they happened, so you have to deal with them," Poole said.