RELIVING PRESCOTT’S 37-26 STATE CHAMPIONSHIP
Prescott beat Charleston in a epic 3A state championship clash of unbeatens, 37-26, to claim its first title since 1995.
Although the first quarter was ugly, the Curley Wolves found a way to bottle up Charleston’s running game and forced their hand at the passing game. The first 12 minutes was riddled with eight penalties totaling 55 yards.
A big fourth-down conversion kept the Wolves’ opening drive alive, which eventually led to Derrick Flynn plowing over Charleston defenders with 3:23 left in the first quarter.
The second quarter brought life to the electric Charleston receiver, Sean Michael Flanagan. Flanagan’s 46-yard dash to the end-zone with 9:34 on the clock in the second quarter, gave Charleston its first lead of the game.
Charleston’s coach Greg Kendrick made defensive changes in the second quarter to combat Poole and his speedsters. His squad came out and attempted to put more pressure on Flynn, while attempting to slow down Kadarius Pearson and contain Carlos Vanhook on the ground.
Poole adjusted to the defense and leaned on his senior gunslinger’s legs to get him back in ball game. Flynn dove in the end zone from 2-yards out to get his squad back in the game, 14-13.
Poole wasn’t detoured to keep his foot on the pedal. At 7:13 in the second quarter, the Wolves recovered an onside kick to put their offense in favorable field position.
Vanhook took the second play from scrimmage 44-yards to the end zone to put Prescott up, 19-14.
Poole lit a fire under his senior leaders Flynn and Vanhook, which led to a Flynn touchdown on a quarterback sneak on a fourth down conversion from the 1-yard line. Poole’s gutsy call with 3:17 left in the third quarter gave Prescott the lead late in the cold at War Memorial Stadium, 25-20.
Prescott’s opening drive in the fourth quarter resulted in Flynn connecting with his senior leader Vanhook on a 21-yard dart to give the Curley wolves some breathing room, 37-26.
The lead presented the Curley Wolves defense an opportunity to play more loosely and aggressively, to finish the final eight minutes.
Senior ball-hawk Deonte Jamison, snatched his ninth interception of the season with 7:30 left in the fourth quarter. Jamison leads all levels of competition in the state of Arkansas in interceptions.
Derrick Flynn was Most Valuable Player in the 3A final game.