Prescott, Charleston vie for state title today
Both teams come into championship with perfect records
LITTLE ROCK—The Prescott Curley Wolves aren’t playing in uncharted territory, but if you ask the locals, this is right where they’re supposed to be. Although this is the first meeting between Charleston and Prescott, Tommy Poole will have his squad primed and ready for the daunting tasks that awaits them at 6:30 p.m.
The impeccable Wolves are led by a star-studded duo that has literally put a championship reality into their teammates hearts. Dual-threat senior gunslinger Derrick Flynn, has a amassed 2,221 yards, 16 touchdowns and six interceptions in 14 games this season. His relief comes in senior all-purpose running back Carlos Vanhook. Vanhook has rushed for an astounding 1,273 yards and 29 touchdowns this season.
Prescott (14-0) and the Tigers (13-0) clash for the 3A state championship today at War Memorial Stadium.
“Every week the defense is going to take something away from us but they also have to give us something. Last week they tried to drop some extra guys back in coverage to protect against the pass and we were able to get our running game going. Both of those guys (Carlos Vanhook and Derrick Flynn) got going and helped us get the win,” coach Tommy Poole said.
The Wolves also have an astute defense to compliment their offensive firepower. Peyton Chandler leads the area in tackles with 152. Teammate Chris Cowling has garnered 148 tackles in 2016. Ball-hawking senior defensive back Deonte Jamison, has snagged eight passes out the sky to lead the area in interceptions.
“They (Charleston) don’t do anything that we haven’t seen already this season,” Poole said. “When you’ve played 14 games, you’ve pretty much seen everything there is to see running and passing. If they come out and do something we’re not prepared for, we’ll be able to make defensive adjustments with what we do defensively.”
Charleston boasts a undefeated record as well and depending on which poll you choose to follow, these two teams are atop all of them. The Tigers have their own senior signal-caller who isn’t a slouch by any means.
Jackson Rowland has passed for 3,150 and 38 touchdowns in 13 games this season. His favorite target is a junior wideout who creates matchup problems for any defender than lines up across from him.
Sean Michael Flanagan topped 474 all-purpose yards in two weeks against Centerpoint and Glen Rose. Flanagan’s matchup with Jamison should possibly be one of the most intriguing contests on Championship Saturday.
Poole’s intuitiveness alludes any offensive schematic changes that need to be made in real time, on the sidelines during the game.
“We’re just going to do what we do best. We’ve been peaking on the defensive side of the ball. We’ve been doing good versus the run and the pass. We feel confident going into the game that we can matchup with them (Charleston) defensively,” said Poole.
This 3A Championship game is much deeper than just the Charleston Tigers vs. Prescott Curley Wolves. This game is about two communities rich in football tradition, looking for a huge win in central Arkansas to conclude the 2016 football season.
“Absolutely, and that’s with anyone’s community. The smaller the community, the more a successful high school program can positively impact that community. We like to consider Prescott is a football town and we’re an athletic town,” Poole said.
Legendary coach Eddie Jackson commenced a football program in Prescott that probably superseded any expectations from himself or anyone else in South Arkansas for that matter. This current Curley Wolves squad is well on their way to cementing their names in school history with a win against Charleston.
“Nobody is going to leave a legacy to match what Coach Jackson did. That’s not even possible, so we’re not trying to do that. You learn from good coaches like him and take those things and try to incorporate those things you’ve learned into your own program,” Poole said.
NOTE: Hampton vs. Mount Ida is the 2A championship game, which begins at noon.