LITTLE ROCK — Tradition-rich Prescott scored 75 points last week against outmanned Drew Central, but the competition will be much different the next month.
In succession, Prescott will face Smackover, Fordyce, Camden Harmony Grove and McGehee — all ranked among the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette Super Six — in 6-3A action.
“It’s brutal,” Curley Wolves Coach Tommy Poole said of the coming stretch.
The first test is Friday when Prescott (3-1, 1-0 6-3A) is at No. 2 Smackover (4-0, 1-0). Kickoff is 7:30 p.m. at Buckaroo Stadium.
Reclassification for the 2012-2014 cycle created this super conference.
McGehee, a seven-time state champion, dropped after winning the 8-4A title last season. Prescott, a fourtime state champion, moved from the 5-3A after finishing 13-1 last fall. They joined existing members Smackover, Fordyce and Harmony Grove, which combined for 25 victories last fall.
“The conference is loaded,” Smackover Coach Brian Strickland said. “It’s going to be tough to go through undefeated in this conference. You could finish anywhere from one to even five, six, seven or eight and still be a good ball club. I expect our fifth seed, whoever winds up in that spot, to win some games in the playoffs.”
Smackover breezed through the first four weeks, outscoring opponents a combined 169-28.
Senior quarterback Jase Saulsbury has completed 21 of 38 passes for 383 yards and 6 touchdowns. Saulsbury (169 yards) is one of four players who has more than 100 yards rushing.
Junior Fabian Sims has carried 15 times for 120 yards and 2 touchdowns. Senior Korey Purifoy has 205 yards and 4 touchdowns on just 21 carries. Junior Kevante Lowery, a college prospect, has rushed 19 times for 111 yards and 3 touchdowns.
The Buckaroos are averaging 314.3 total yards per game and limiting opponents to 117.8.
“We’re probably doing better than what we thought we would offensively,” Strickland said. “Defensively, we have played real well. We have shut some teams down that could put some points on the board.”
Prescott fell out of the Class 3A Super Six following a 40-34 season-opening loss at Class 2A power Gurdon, but Prescott has rebounded with victories over Spring Hill (36-7), Class 5A Hope (35-21) and Drew Central, which has lost 15 consecutive games.
Strickland said speed is what jumps off the page when scouting Prescott.
“Speed is No. 1,” he said.
Prescott is averaging 365.6 total yards per game.
Senior quarterback Trevor Rucker has thrown for 439 yards and run for 217. Senior Brandon Marks has carried 41 times for 394 yards and 9 touchdowns.
Senior defensive end Mark Johnson, 6-2, 185, has four sacks. Johnson has orally committed to Arkansas State.
“It would be great to get off to a 2-0 start in this conference,” said Poole, 1994 Prescott graduate who is in his first season at his alma mater. “It’s not going to be easy.
“Of course, it’s not going to be easy for anybody else, either. When they play Prescott, it’s not going to be easy.”
Prescott vs. Smackover
WHEN 7:30 p.m. Friday WHERE Buckaroo Stadium, Smackover RECORDS Prescott 3-1, 1-0 6-3A; Smackover 4-0, 1-0 6-3A RANKINGS Prescott is unranked; Smackover is No. 2 in 3A
Sports, Pages 24 on 09/27/2012