PRESCOTT, Ark.-When Tommy Poole returned home to Prescott five years ago, his goal was a state championship.
That became a reality in 2016 when the Curley Wolves recorded a perfect 15-0 record and won the 3A state championship. It wasn't a total surprise, and the high school football gurus of Arkansas have Prescott ranked No. 1 beginning 2017.
"You're always surprised a little when you win state, but you always feel you've got a chance, especially here at Prescott," said Poole, a former Curley Wolf and Ouachita Baptist University player. "Our expectations every year at Prescott is to win state, but the ball has to bounce your way once or twice. Last year we had a great defense and we played together as a team and got the best result.
"When I came back this current group of seniors were seventh graders. They had a lot of success in junior high. We're not feeling any pressure this year, we're just excited and ready to get a new season started. We want to be No. 1 at the end of the season. We're going to give everyone our best shot every week. We've just got to prepare for it and get ready."
Poole has a lot of talent back from his championship team, but he also said goodbye to 17 seniors, including quarterback Derrick Flynn and running back Carlos Vanhook. The latter rushed for 1,493 yards and 30 touchdowns, whle Flynn threw for 2,276 yards and 17 TDs.
Cade Haynie will step into Flynn's shoes and Poole has high expectations, particularly since Haynie will have two outstanding targets.
"Haynie has done a good job in the spring and summer," Poole said. "We got a talented junior (6-6 Ryan Johnson) backing him up. He'll play quarterback some this year in particular situations.
"We've got Kadarius Pearson (6-2, 185) back at receiver. He's a phenomenal football player. He will be our big-play threat. Cameron Cox will be another receiver, who started for us last year as a sophomore. He's a slot receiver who made a lot of big plays for us last year, including the championship game."
Pearson had 43 receptions for 711 yards and four touchdowns last season, while Cox hauled in 37 for 857 yards and seven TDs. Bailey Adams is also back at tight end, giving Haynie another big target.
The offensive line is anchored by 300-pounder Kobe Gillard, who played on both sides of the ball as a sophomore. Junior Riley Robbins is another young lineman who started in 2016. Eric Wingfield is a two-year starter that's back, and big Jaylnn Marshall returns after starting every game last year.
"It's still very early and we're not set on who will be filling in our holes," Poole said.
Prescott's defense ranked among the very best in Arkansas last season, allowing an area-best 14.2 points per game.
Senior linebacker Peyton Chandler led the area with 167 tackles in 2016, and also ranked high with four interceptions. The Wolves will miss Deonte Jamison and Chris Cowling, who contributed nine interceptions and 159 tackles, respectively.
"We've got Colton Johnson back at one defensive end; he's a very good athlete," Poole said. "It's always good to have your leading tackler back. Derrick Thompson is what you call a lockdown corner, he's a three-year starter for us. Every week we'll match him up with the other team's best receiver.
"Ryan Johnson started every game at safety for us, and he's bigger, stronger and faster. Quontravius Caldwell will be our other corner. He moved in from Hope after playing his sophomore and junior seasons there. We're pretty confident in what we've got coming back."
Kade Honea will handle the Wolves' -place-kicking chores again. Poole indicated there's two or three kids competing for the punting job, and it remains undecided.
The coaching staff is also counting on several newcomers stepping up. That list includes Poole's son Cade Poole, Derrick Thompson, Bryston Samuels and Jacob Ojeda.
"No doubt I felt more pressure moving home to Prescott from Spring Hill, but that comes with the territory," Poole said. "The ultimate goal of a coach is winning a state championship, and turning boys into men. We've done a pretty good job of that, but we're not stopping now."
QUICK FACTS
SCHOOL: PRESCOTT
2016 RECORD: 15-0
HEAD COACH: Tommy Poole
YEARS AT SCHOOL: 5
COACHING STAFF: Brian Glass, OC; Jason Patrick, DC; Gabe Mormon, DL; Danny Megga, QB/DE; Davion Williams, WR/DB
LETTERMEN LOST/BACK: 17/19
STARTERS BACK: 7 offense, 5 defense
PLAYERS TO WATCH: WR Kadarius Pearson, WR Cam Cox, QB Cade Haynie, L Kobe Gillard, LB Peyton Chandler, QB/S Ryan Johnson
TOP NEWCOMER: Derrick Thompson, Cade Poole, Bryston Samuels, Jacob Ojeda