Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Long Road Trip Ahead For Friday

Prescott fans had better put plenty of gasoline in their vehicles. Osceola is a long ways from Curley Wolf country this Friday.

Then next week it will be a trip to Little Rock to meet the Nashville Scrppers again.

All this is, of course, if Nashville defeats Lonoke and Prescott beats Osceola in the semi-finals of the Class AA state play-offs Friday.

Last year at this time the Curley Wolves were undefeated and Nashville only had one loss -- to Prescott. This year the Scrappers are undefeated and Prescott has one loss -- to Nashville.

It's beginning to look a lot like another matchup between two 7AA Conference teams, to borrow a little prose from a Christmas song.

People in the state should soon realize the caliber of teams in southwest Arkansas, and not just in Class AA. Two teams -- Murfreesboro and Horatio -- from the Class A division are still playing, and they will meet each other this Friday night.

Arkansas Activities Association (AAA), which sanctions pre-season and post-season games, were smart enough last year to put Prescott and Nashville in separate brackets, and it did again this year.

Osceola will be the toughest opponent for Prescott since Nashville.

The Seminoles were Class AAA state champions last year. So it will be champions against champions.

The last of the regular season one had to wonder if Prescott would be a serious challenger in the play-offs -- runaway ballgames were common against De Queen, Fountain Lake, Junction City and Fouke. Coach Eddie Jackson was letting every player see action in these games. Only after the reserves were in did the opponent sometimes score.

Thus far the play-offs have been the same, even against the tougher chalengers. Of course, Friday night was an acception. Atkins scored in the first quarter. However, Jackson did put the reserves in late in the game.

For one thing, the younger players -- those who will be around next year and the year after -- are seeing action in play-off games. These games are scary to some players, so the reserves need to see action in the play- offs. You could say that they are being prepared for the play-offs next year.

Osceola may be different. The Wolves must concentrate on them 100 percent. The Seminoles must be respected as a team that can stop last year's Class AA champions.

It also must be pointed out, however, that the Curley Wolves are showing improvement with each play-off game. The defense continues to be tough, meeting the offensive opponent head on.

Last week Jared Yates and C.D. Flemons had two sacks apiece. Carlos Vanhook and Rashad Johnson each had interceptions that were returned for touchdowns.

Other defensive players were just as effective in their respective positions.

Everyone can remember what the defense did at McGehee. Two safeties in one game.

Yeah, the defense is ready to Wolverize the opponent.

Prescott's offense has continued to do well against the `best' from other conferences, too.

Better passing games have been seen. Excellent catches have been made by Flemons and Company that turned into first downs and, in some cases, touchdowns.

The running game is good, too. The backfield includes Sam Marlow, Carlos Vanhook, Tracy Stafford and Heath Duke. When one can't find running room, the other usually can.

And the offensive line is doing a good job of blocking.

So, it's all coming together just in time to meet the biggest challenge since October 4.

The final ingredient for a big win, then, must be the fans. Although it's a long trip, the players need the support of Prescott fans. Make plans to go.

Just like last year, signs were put up on business in Prescott last week. They looked good.

The spirit is back, along with the enthusiasm. This is Wolf-Pride.