The Audible | Despite 12-2 finish last season, Prescott feels it can do more in 2019

(Photo courtesy of Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette)
(Photo courtesy of Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette)

PRESCOTT, Ark. - Prescott's 12-2 2018 season record and second-place conference finish were not up to par with head coach Tommy Poole and his staff's program expectations.

"We're a very young team this year," Prescott head coach Tommy Poole said. "I think our inexperience will be positive for us because you'll get to see a team get better every week."

The Curley Wolves lost 25 lettermen to graduation while returning 14 in 2019.

OFFENSE

Juniors Jacobi Nolen and Jeff Williams will split time at quarterback, but both are versatile enough to add depth for the Curley Wolves offense at wide receiver.

Junior Alex George and senior Derriun Thompson will roam the backfield for Prescott this season. George finished last season with 1,103 yards and 23 touchdowns, while Thompson dashed for 963 yards and 15 touchdowns. Thompson also caught 13 passes for 229 yards and one score.

"We had a lot of guys that got experience last year on special teams that we'll have this year," Poole said. "We had a bunch of guys that lettered last year, but that doesn't mean they got a ton of experience."

Senior Bryston Samuels and sophomore Jacaylon Zachary will provide the Curley Wolves with outside weapons from their receiver position, to balance the offensive attack. Sophomore Jaylen Hopson is an offensive utility specialist, who could emerge by opportunities given by other skill positions offensively.

Junior Justin Wilson will anchor the Curley Wolves offensive line. Wilson has started 26 consecutive games at tackle for Prescott since his freshman year. Seniors Jacob Ojeda and Johnny Weaver will also look to be mainstays on the Prescott offensive line this upcoming season. Junior Keihnan Paden and Sophomore Maddux Yates will also see significant time upfront for the Curley Wolves this upcoming season.

"The more experience some of these guys get, the better you'll see us improve on a week to week basis," Poole said. "We had two sophomores in Hopson and Zachary that have done really well for us in camp. Both of those guys have helped us do some other things on offense, by stepping up their play."

 

DEFENSE

Last season defensively, the Curley Wolves only surrendered 144 points to opponents, while scoring 583 points in 14 games.

Senior Cade Poole, junior Jack Arnette, Wilson and sophomore Caleb Harris will rotate the Wolves defensive front. Poole started every game last season and racked up 44 tackles, while Arnette added 56 tackles for the Curley Wolves.

"We're excited about our guys up front defensively, because they're all starters from last year," Poole said. "Our guys on the defensive line saw a lot of action last year. It's not like they're some new guys. They've seen a lot of different offenses the past two years, I promise."

George, sophomore Jason Patrick, junior Chadarrius Haynie and senior Layne Dalyrimple will intertwine on the second level of Prescott's defense from their linebacker position.

"We focus on us and getting better every week," Poole said. "We can't worry about anyone else or who we play. Our goal every year is to win a state championship, no matter the year or what happened the year before."

Thompson and Nolen will handle the Curley Wolves secondary duties on the backline. Thompson had three interceptions last season and Nolen added 120 tackles for the Prescott defense.

Prescott opens their season August 27 in the Hooten's Classic at Southern Arkansas University against Rison.

"Our goals this season are the same as every year, win a conference and state championship," Poole said.

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SCHEDULE

Date, Site-Opponent

Aug. 27, y-Rison (Hootens Classic)

Sept. 6, at Mena

Sept. 20, at Hope

Sept. 27, Fouke

Oct. 4, Bismarck (Homecoming)

Oct. 11, at Smackover

Oct. 18, at Genoa Central

Oct. 25, Horatio

Nov. 1, Camden Harmony Grove

Nov. 7, at Centerpoint

y-at Southern Arkansas University. x-Denotes Conference 5-3A game

All kickoffs at 7 p.m.

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QUICK FACTS

- SCHOOL: Prescott

- 2018 RECORD: 12-2

- HEAD COACH: Tommy Poole

- YEARS AT SCHOOL: 8th

- COACHING STAFF: Brian Glass, off. coordinator; Jason Patrick, def. coordinator; Gabe Morman, off. line; Davion Williams, receivers/secondary; Danny Magga, def. ends/quarterbacks; DJ Graham, def. line.

- LETTERMEN LOST/BACK: 14 /25

- PLAYERS TO WATCH: S/RB Derriun Thompson, LB/RB Alex George, DE Cade Poole, QB/DB Jacobi Nolen, OL/DL Jack Arnette, OL/DL Jacob Ojeda.

- TOP NEWCOMERS: WR Jaylen Hopson, WR Jacaylon Zachary, QB Jeff Williams, LB Jason Patrick.

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