LITTLE ROCK — Mayflower’s Eagles are flying high.
But so are Prescott’s Curley Wolves.
That could mean a shootout Friday night at Prescott when the Curley Wolves (9-2) host Mayflower (6-5) in the second round of the Class 3A playoffs.
“I’ve talked to some coaches who have seen both of us, and they said it could end up like a basketball score,” Mayflower Coach Jed Davis said. “It could be 72-65. As a coach you don’t want something like that, but we feel like we can score a lot of points if we have to.”
Both teams have gaudy offensive numbers across the board.
Prescott, loaded with speed on both sides of the ball, is averaging 46.5 points and 445.6 total yards per game.
Senior quarterback Trevor Rucker has completed 119 of 208 passes for 2,086 yards and 24 touchdowns and rushed 130 times for 869 yards and 17 touchdowns.
Senior running back Brandon Marks has rushed 142 times for 1,137 yards and 22 touchdowns. Marks was a sprinter/jumper on Prescott’s Class 3A state championship track and field team in May.
“The running back is so fast,” Davis said. “Trying to slow him down will be a big challenge.”
Senior wide receiver Donald Lollis has a team-high 55 receptions for 824 yards and 7 touchdowns.
Echoing other coaches, Davis said team speed is maybe Prescott’s greatest asset.
“It’s hard to simulate them in practice,” Davis said. “You watch them on film and you think the DVD is stuck on fast forward because they’re so fast.”
Mayflower has the state’s most prolific offense.
The Eagles’ scoring average (43.6) is slightly behind the Curly Wolves, but Mayflower is averaging a state-leading 547.2 total yards per game.
Sophomore quarterback Adam Dycus has completed 227 of 398 passes for 3,884 yards and 39 touchdowns.
Senior running back Daniel Gieber has rushed 124 times for 1,190 yards and 23 touchdowns and caught 52 passes for 1,037 yards and 9 touchdowns.
Four other Eagles have at least 30 receptions, including sophomore Drew Duncan (68), junior Madison Chambliss (63) and sophomore Josh Woodham (40).
Asked if it will be a highscoring game, Prescott Coach Tommy Poole said, “very possible.”
“They can move it,” Poole said. “They throw it, score, onside kick and then throw it again.”
If anybody can restore defensive order, it might be Prescott senior defensive end Mark Johnson, 6-2, 185 pounds.
Johnson, who has orally committed to Arkansas State, has 24 tackles, 9 1/2 sacks, 3 caused fumbles and 1 recovered fumble this fall.
“He’s changing game plans,” Poole said. “He’s drawing two blockers and that’s making it 10 on 9 after that.”
Johnson is the defending Class 3A champion in the 400 meters.
Mayflower is the No. 4 seed from the 2-3A. Prescott is the No. 2 seed from the 6-3A after tying with McGehee for the conference championship.
Sports, Pages 24 on 11/14/2012