Wolves gearing up for 2023 grid season

PRESCOTT – Forget about the temperature outside, the real heat will begin when the Curley Wolves take to the gridiron for the 2023 football season.

Prescott faces as tough a schedule as the team has ever had, dealing with two teams from out of state – Homer, LA., and McAlister, OK. Homer won its class state football title last season while the Buffaloes were runners up in the 5A division.

On the other hand, the Wolves have plenty of senior leadership with 19 on the squad. However, the team lost 13 from last year’s roster. “The guys will find a way to get it done,” said Head Coach Brian Glass, who compared this year’s schedule to the 1981 campaign, saying this one is tougher. What makes it more difficult for the Wolves is the team only has four home games and will be on the road most of the time. He added all the teams from last year will be better this year.

In talking about the offense, Glass said Pierce Yates will be the starting quarterback. Yates has committed to Kansas State to play baseball. Glass added Yates has a linebacker’s mentality as he played that position last year, and throws the ball well, especially the short and intermediate routes. His backup will be junior Decari Prater, who throws a good deep ball and is fast. Both, Glass said, can run the offense and are good athletes. Third on the depth chart is Dalton Stockton, sophomore, who led an undefeated seven-on-seven team.

Speed has not been a problem for the Wolves in the past and won’t be this year. Jah’noah Harris will be one of the running backs. He brings 4.5 speed to the team and is a gamebreaker who hits holes hard and is more familiar with the offense having been in it for a year. Tiquan Box is another running back, who Glass calls explosive. Box runs hurdles in track and could probe to be a problem for those going low for tackles. K.J. Page, another soph, will see time in the backfield as well. Glass calls Page a physical runner, adding all three can break a game wide open with their speed. Colton Arnold is set to be fullback and help lead the way for others. Takaden McKillion, Marshawn Rafter will be thrown into the mix behind center as well.

Things won’t be any easier for opponents when it comes to the passing game as Prescott returns three of four starters. Dwayne White, junior, returns this year as a 6-4, 200 lb. wideout with 4.6 speed who plays low. Senior P.J. Gulley is 6-0, 200 lbs., with 4.5 speed and has already been scouted by Southern Arkansas University. Next is Jaylen Johnson, who runs an 11.1 100 meter dash and a 22.5 200-meters. Glass said Johnson is the fastest player on the team. The fourth receiver is Spencer Hubbard, 5-11, 175, with great hands and who runs great routes. For fun, Box will spend time as a slot receiver, just to keep defenses on their toes.

Size has always been a problem for the Wolves when it came to the offensive and defensive line. While the team won’t be gigantic this year, it will be bigger. Rocco Loe will be the center, with Joey Pittman at right guard, Zayden Carter, at left guard, Tanner Jarvis will be left tackle with Rocco Patrick the right tackle. All are bigger than last year. Others who will see time on the line include: Latavion Lofton at right tackle, Gavin York at tackle and guard, wherever he’s needed.

Defensively, Jamarion Burton returns at one defensive end position with Rafter on the other side. Both are bigger than last year and both hit. Patrick will likely go both ways at defensive tackle as well as right tackle on offense. Rasheed Muhammed returns as a defensive tackle, having 90 tackles to his credit last year. Carter, Pittman and York will see time on the line as well. Talan Smith will be one outside linebacker, with Tayshawn Smith the other Page and Jayden Purtle will split time at middle linebacker.

J.K. Jones will be safety with Prater at one corner and Jaquan Dickerson the other. Gulley will play both corner and safety as needed, with White also seeing action at cornerback.

John Rabadan returns to handle the kicking duties with Spencer Hubbard holding and Patrick the snapper. Punting duties will be split between Jaylon Johnson with Patrick and Cliff Davis the long snappers

Returning punts will be Gulley and Prater, while kickoffs will be returned by Johnson, Box and Harris, along with Gulley and Page.

“I’m excited to open with Bismarck,” Glass said, pointing out the Wolves will first scrimmage Little Rock Mills here on Aug. 18.

“We want to be physical,” he said, “and hit hard.” He reminds everyone Bismarck beat Prescott in junior high football and the senior team is looking for a little payback this year. “The most exciting game will be at McAlister. They’re the 5A state runners up in Oklahoma. It will be a true David vs. Goliath game, but we’re willing to play anybody. It’ll be a big challenge.”

Prescott will face Fordyce in week three. The Redbugs, Glass said, have more depth this year, along with getting several moving in and a good number returning. Hope is the foe for week four. Glass said the Bobcats will be better than last year, adding the Hope-Prescott game is always a good one and the ‘Cats play tough at home.

Game five will be Sept. 22 with Gurdon coming to town. This will also be the homecoming game for the Wolves as well as the first conference game. “This is a big rivalry,” Glass said.

From there Prescott goes to Junction City for a date with the Dragons, are home for Fouke, then will host the Pelicans of Homer, La. in week eight. From there Prescott will head to Smackover, get a week off and host Horatio to end the regular season and prepare for post-season action.

Coaches for the Wolves are: Davion Williams, offensive coordinator, Jason Patrick, assistant head coach and defensive coordinator, Taylor Wood, defensive coordinator, Kahleed Stewart will help with the running backs and linebackers, while Brandon Walker will coach receivers and defensive backs. Tony Price will help wherever needed. with Quinton Thornton the offensive coordinator. Tim Loe will also work with the offensive and defensive lines. For the Cubs, Russell Carter is the head coach, with Jeremy Glass offensive line coach, Gavin McCauley offensive line coach, Taylor Wood, defensive coordinator.

This year’s Cubs team will have 10 game, scrimmaging at Bauxite, before hosting DeQueen, playing Hope, Episcopal Collegiate, Gurdon, Junction City, Fouke, Hampton, Smackover and ending with Parkers Chapel. The seventh grade schedule has nine games, with the eight grade posting five contests. There will also be five junior varsity games, none easy. The Wolves will play Hot Springs, Nashville, Arkadelphia, Camden Harmony Grove both here and away.