Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Wolves picked to win, but who's next

Prescott has been tabbed to win the 7AAA conference by a statewide publication.

So, if this prognostication proves to be true, the question is, where will the other teams finish up  according to the prediction.

The "experts" are picking Nashville to finish second in the race.

The Scrappers will be returning three starters on offense and three on defense from last year's team.

Nashville averaged 37 points per game last season, but lost all-state linebacker Brett Rowland, along with quarterback Drew Curtis, tight end Justin Soles and linebacker Justin Wright.

This basically translates into the Scrappers having a young and inexperienced team. However, Nashville does have tradition and is used to "reloading" almost every year.

Ashdown's Panthers are tabbed to finish third in the league.

Last year the Panthers had an 8-3 record, tying for first with Prescott and Nashville.

The Panthers return seven defensive starters and three from offense, including the quarterback and fullback. This should make them relatively potent offensively.

Defensively, the Panthers should be tough as Ashdown gave up a scant 15 points per game last season and returns most of the squad.

But, Ashdown will be lacking in depth, and its kicking game is questionable at best.

Fourth on the list is De Queen. The Leopards wound up with a 4-6 record in 2002, but are returning six starters from defense and five from offense. This gives them experience, but not depth.

De Queen will again be running a 4-3 defense, but could be changing its offensive scheme around.

Mena is picked to finish fifth, but area coaches say the Bearcats could be the surprise team of the league.

The Cats had an off year, 3-7, in 02, but are returning seven starters, two from defense and five on offense.

The Cats gave the Wolves all they wanted before falling 20-7. In fact, Mena held a 7-6 lead over Prescott at the half, and into the fourth quarter before the Wolves managed to score twice. Prescott took the lead with 3:45 to go in the game, and added an extra touchdown with 1:43 left.

Fountain Lake is expected to end its season in sixth place, which is no surprise after the Cobras had a 3-7 year in 02.

The Cobras have a solid junior class returning this year, but have few seniors to provide the necessary leadership.

Fountain Lake will be operating out of the 4-4 defense and running a spread offense.

The "experts" are picking Fouke to finish seventh, but could be badly mistaken as the Panthers return with experience at the offensive and defensive line.

Fouke finished 7-4 last year, and moved Kyle McCracken from wingback to quarterback.

The Panthers will be working under a new coach, Jay Turley, which adds a question mark to the mix at best.

Bismarck's Lions are picked to finish last in the conference. Again, this is no surprise as the Lions were winless in 2002.

While the team showed renewed interest in the spring, the Lions lack size and speed  two things necessary to compete in the 7AAA.

But, Bismarck returns 19 starters, nine on each side of the ball, which gives the Lions experience.

Remember, this is how the "experts" are picking the teams to finish this season, and in many instances, predictions aren't worth the paper they're printed on.

Football is a game of emotion, skill and breaks. A couple of bad breaks and the best team can lose, while a good break or two could see a weaker team pull off an upset.

Regardless, the Wolves have been working out in preparation for the 2003 campaign and plan on making at least one prediction come true  an undisputed conference title.