Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Wolves Ready To Start 1998 Season

There will be nothing easy as the Prescott Curley Wolves vie for the class AAA football crown this year.

Last year, the Wolves got off to a slow start before finishing strong and ending the year with a 5-7 overall record as they finished fourth in the league.

While the team may have AAA as its designation, the added A means nothing as Prescott will still be playing the same teams it did last year.

The Wolves ended the season well, but suffered a massive loss with the graduation of quarterback Al Johnston.

Johnston's strong right arm added a school record in passing during the 1997 grid campaign, as he hurled the ball for 1,973 yards.

Friday night, Aug. 28, the Wolves scrimmaged against Hot Springs Lakeside. Coach David Bennett gave two different players time under center to see which would be the likely starter Friday, Sept. 4, when the Wolves get on the road for a trip to ever-tough Mineral Springs.

Senior player Brad Harris took most of the snaps during the scrimmage, and showed signs of being able to move the team. However, the Wolves suffered turnover problems after driving deep into Ram territory.

The Wolves showed a solid ground game, and potential through the air.

Defensively, a few mental mistakes allowed the Rams to move to a score, though several Lakeside players woke up Saturday stiff and sore from the licks they took from Prescott's defense.

Jarrod Yates, a senior this season will likely spend most of his time as right guard. Last year Yates played fullback, but was later moved to the guard slot.

This will give the Wolves plenty of strength on the line as Yates can bench press more than 350 pounds and squat 625.

Justin Jernigan split time at the fullback position with Yates last year, but will likely see the brunt of the carries this season.

Speed in the backfield is no problem for the Wolves, as Terry Woodley and Calvin Flemons will be the probable tailbacks.

Woodley has 4.7 speed in the 40-yard dash and rushed for more than 800 yards last season. He also scored two touchdown and took a screen pass in for another score in the playoff win over Beebe.

Flemons could be moved into the slot as the Wolves also have Fred Hopson who can carry part of the load as tailback.

Prescott's biggest problem will be replacing members of its front line. Doug Young and Jarrod Miller return to help solve this riddle.

Young will likely be at left tackle, while Miller could see time as center.

Defensively, Andrew Fellows returns at strong side end where he was able to pressure several quarterbacks last year. Against Beebe Fellows returned a fumble 18 yards for a touchdown.

Brian Woodley didn't play last season, but could spell Fellows now and again. He may also see some action at tight end, where he would also replace Fellows.

Prescott's defensive front will get help from Anton Purifoy, while Billy Gleason is quick and strong. Gabe Morman will help with his experience as well.

The Wolves have experience and more depth on the line than last year, and should be able to take advantage of their offensive backfield.

However, the loss of a strong quarterback and graduation of several other contributing starters will be something the team must overcome if it is to be successful this year. The Wolves return four starters on offense and four on defense.

Preseason predictions have Prescott in the middle of the pack in the expanded conference. A fourth-place finish, though, is good enough to get into the playoffs at the end of the campaign.

This year, along with having to face league foes such as Nashville, Fordyce, DeQueen, Mena, Fountain Lake, Fouke and Bismarck, the Wolves will have the additional headache of taking on the Mena Bearcats.

The 'Cats were added to the league after problems with their former conference the 4 AA West, where they finished tied for fifth last season and missed the playoffs.

However, the 'Cats are expected to be ready to face the harsh competition of the 7AAA and are familiar with several of the teams in their new league already.

In 1996, Mena ousted De Queen in quarterfinal playoff action with a 13-0 score. Nashville was dropped 18-13 in '95 during a rain-soaked contest, while losing to the Scrappers 49-14 in the '96 playoffs.

Preseason prognosticators have the Scrappers tabbed to take the 7AAA league crown this year.

Fordyce is picked to finish second, with the Leopards of De Queen anticipated to be third.

The Wolves are slotted for a fourth-place ending (still good enough for playoff contention), with Mena on their heels in fifth.

The bottom of the lot is expected to be Fountain Lake, Fouke and Bismarck.

But, as any coach will say, preseason polls mean nothing. After all, the Wolves were picked to finish sixth in 1995, but posted an undefeated season and captured the state title.

It's the final standings that count, coaches and fans know.