In a rematch of last year’s second round playoff game in which Prescott was kept under its average number of points but won 28-14, the Curley Wolves take on the Bismarck Lions in War Memorial Stadium. The game will be broadcast on this website.
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In playing its first game against Bismarck at a neutral site, the Curley Wolves are not easing into the new season but risking its number one status in 3A (according to Hooten’s and the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette) against a playoff team that managed to stifle a Prescott offense that averaged 45 points last season.
Prescott will be trying to start a new winning streak after its only loss of the 2021 season came against Harding Academy in the championship game. Prescott’s halftime lead of 12-3 did not stand. The Wildcats had an explosive second half and won 47-25.
Players to watch for Prescott on offense will be Senior Quarterback Carston Poole (#16) who threw for a 3A-leading 2,800 yards passing, scoring 32 touchdowns. Running Back Travion Dickens (#7) has Coach Brian Glass liking his shiftiness. Receiver Jaylen Johnson (#13) is a 6-3, 185-pound sprinter who won the state 400 meter dash last year.
On defense, Coach Glass calls Jamario Burton (#71) the defensive line’s anchor. The middle linebacker who calls positioning is the hard-hitting Tidorian Thompson (#2) and the ball-hawking Rashawn Bell (#6), with his five interceptions last season, distinguishes himself at safety.
The Bismarck Lions, who, after years of low-achieving, got seven wins last season and will retain almost all of its offensive line back from that team. They’ll be out to avenge last year’s playoff loss against Prescott.
Their senior quarterback Ian Smith was chosen for the All Conference team and passed for 2,285 yards, scoring 26 touchdowns. Coach D.J. Keithley told Hooten’s he has been impressed with Bo Bates, a tall running back who moves to the position from tight-end. Xander Talbert, who plays at an all-conference level at guard has been a productive defensive lineman, too.
War Memorial will be a lively place this week. Prescott versus Bismarck is the first matchup in a series of four high school football games with Springdale Har-Ber -Little Rock Parkview on Thursday, North Little Rock-Little Rock Catholic on Friday and Benton-Bryant on Saturday.