CLASS 6A Patient Presley proves he's ready

DO NOT USE THIS PHOTO!!!! Arkansas Democrat-Gazette/THOMAS METTHE -- 10/25/2019 -- Benton linebacker Jaden Woolbright (36) sacks Greenwood quarterback Jace Presley (8) during the first quarter on Friday, Oct. 25, 2019, at Panther Stadium in Benton. More photos are available at arkansasonline.com/1026benton
DO NOT USE THIS PHOTO!!!! Arkansas Democrat-Gazette/THOMAS METTHE -- 10/25/2019 -- Benton linebacker Jaden Woolbright (36) sacks Greenwood quarterback Jace Presley (8) during the first quarter on Friday, Oct. 25, 2019, at Panther Stadium in Benton. More photos are available at arkansasonline.com/1026benton

GREENWOOD -- Jace Presley has plenty of playoff experience as a quarterback for perennial powerhouse Greenwood.

That experience mainly consists of carrying a clipboard and signaling in plays from the sideline as a backup to a pair of elite quarterbacks ahead of him. Now it's Presley's turn to shine and he's more than ready to carry on the Greenwood quarterback tradition.

As a sophomore, Presley saw quarterback Connor Noland guide the Bulldogs to an undefeated season and the Class 6A state title. Last season, he had a sideline view as Peyton Holt led the program to back-to-back state titles.

No pressure, right?

"This would mean the world to everybody out there, especially my senior dudes," Presley said of winning the program's 10 state title and third straight. "It would mean everything to us. It's a lot different when you are playing and starting than sitting on the bench earning one. It would mean a lot to this senior class to finish strong."

The Bulldogs (9-1) get a first-round bye to open the Class 6A state playoffs, then will play at home against the winner of the Marion vs. Siloam Springs game in round two.

Presley patiently waited behind Noland and Holt, who both signed with Division I schools, for his time to be the leader of the Greenwood offense. He has made the most of the opportunity being among the top five passers in the state this year.

He ended his lone regular season as a starter with 2,749 yards and 35 touchdowns while completing 245-of-336 passes. The offense heads into the postseason averaging 43 points per game in the regular season.

"He has played really, really well and I've been proud of him," Greenwood coach Rick Jones said. "People ask me if I'm surprised by his play. I'm really not. It's sort of a detrimental thing to say he is a system quarterback, but he is one because he has been with us in the seventh, eighth and ninth grade plus two years of JV.

"He knows what we want to do and does it well."

Jones believes Presley could have easily been a successful multi-year starter for the Bulldogs if he got the call earlier in his career. It just happened to work out that Greenwood had two talented quarterbacks in Noland and Holt ahead of him.

"I have players and parents say he waited his turn," Jones said. "That is exactly right. He waited his turn, but he was also preparing for his turn. He has worked hard at it and has been really focused. It's made all the difference in the world. He has stepped up his leadership and taken command. He's deserved to have a good year, and he isn't finished yet."

Presley learned from two of the best, he said, and that is evident by the almost seamless transition from Noland, to Holt, to Presley.

Noland closed out his Bulldog career passing for 2,801 yards and 34 touchdowns. He added 5 touchdowns on the ground on 239 rushing yards. Holt capped his Greenwood career passing for 3,037 yards and 23 touchdowns. He also had 858 rushing yards and 21 additional scores on the ground.

"I had two really good players ahead of me," Presley said. "They helped me a ton. I feel they played a part in getting me to where I am now. I was friends with them and tried to learn as much as I could from them."

Presley's transition to starter was made easier with a lot of talent around him at the skilled positions. Six different players have 10 or more catches this season for the Bulldogs with four catching five or more touchdowns.

Treyton Dawson (49 catches, 677 yards, 11 touchdowns) and Peyton Carter (44 catches, 598 yards, 5 touchdowns) have led the way. Caden Brown (57 catches, 511 yards, 8 touchdowns) and Lazaro Angel (35 catches, 401 yards, 6 touchdowns) have played key roles as well.

"He is a big part of our offense and does a good job," Dawson said. "As a wide receiver group, we try to go out there and make it easy for him. It's been exciting watching him play this season. We are just glad he is our quarterback."

Greenwood running back Hunter Wilkinson has helped keep the offense balanced by rushing for 819 yards and 16 touchdowns on 145 carries.

"It takes everybody," Presley said. "The guys around me give me a lot of help. I just go through everything like I've been taught. I've got dudes making plays everywhere. That's what makes it a lot easier. I have a bunch of studs out there every play. I couldn't ask for anything better than that. I just find whoever is open because they can all make plays."

The starting offensive line of Nathan Nethers, Kevin Douglas, Easton Erwin, Traven Nichols and Braden Stein has helped provide the time for Presley, a traditional pocket passer, to find his targets.

The Greenwood offense has featured dual-threat quarterbacks often in the past, including the last four seasons. Jones said he feels the offense hasn't missed a beat without a rushing threat behind center. Presley has more than made up for it with his arm, as he is connecting on 73 percent of his passes this season.

"He is a more traditional quarterback distributing the ball," Jones said. "We have been very efficient on offense. There is nothing wrong with a pocket passer. Coach (Chris) Young has done a great job adapting the offense to the talent we have. It's different from last year, but the main thing is points and first downs. We don't care how we get them."

Presley waited for his time to be the quarterback but didn't waste a moment after getting the job, as he started the season with back-to-back big games. He combined to pass for 652 yards and seven touchdowns in wins against Fort Smith Northside and Fort Smith Southside to open the season.

He has passed for three or more touchdowns and 200 or more yards in nine of his 10 games this season.

Presley did have a three-game streak of throwing interceptions with one against Siloam Springs, two more against Russellville and another two in Benton, the lone loss of the season for Greenwood.

However, he quickly bounced back from those games after that, passing for 503 yards and 8 touchdowns without an interception in the final two regular-season games.

"He had a bit of a two-game slump," Jones said. "I was really proud of the way he came out and played after that. It shows a lot about his progression. He has grown up a lot this season and has played very, very well for us."

It's been a long journey, but Presley said he wouldn't change a thing. He feels the Bulldogs still have unfinished business heading into the playoffs.

"It's everything playing for Greenwood," Presley said. "Words can't even explain it. It's incredible the support you get. You just have to do it to see what it is like. I was a little bit of a goofball when I was a sophomore, but I've gotten a little more serious this year.

"I'm trying to lead the best I can. We are focused on winning the state championship."

JACE PRESLEY

SCHOOL Greenwood

CLASS Senior

HEIGHT 6-4

WEIGHT 190

POSITION Quarterback

NOTABLE Presley has completed 245-of-336 passes for 2,749 yards and 35 touchdowns this season. … He is among the top five passers in the state in all classifications this season in passing yards … Committed to Crowder College (Neosho, Mo.) to play baseball … Was 3-1 in 43 innings pitched with 43 strikeouts and a 2.77 ERA in his junior season for Greenwood … First-year starter at quarterback after being a backup to Connor Noland and Peyton Holt the two previous seasons. … Favorite subject in school is history. … Presley’s go-to pre-game meal is a tuna sub sandwich. … One of his favorite hobbies outside of school since he was young is fly fishing with his grandfather.

Sports on 11/14/2019

Upcoming Events