McGEHEE, Ark. -- Undefeated Prescott and undefeated McGehee face off in a heavyweight bout in the Arkansas state football playoffs.
The Curley Wolves (12-0) and the Owls (13-0) play at Rex Benton Stadium on the campus of McGehee High School today at 7 p.m. in the Class 3A state semifinals. The winner will play for the state title next week in Little Rock at War Memorial Stadium.
"McGehee is very athletic," Prescott head coach Brian Glass said. "They have good size and good speed on the defensive side of the ball. They have different backs who carry the ball for them. They run a Slot-T offense, which is very similar to the Wing-T. They can hand off to the fullback or halfback and the quarterback also runs it. They have a really good receiver that they can throw it to."
The Curley Wolves will be without star player and running back Jaylen Hopson. Hopson was injured a week ago and will not play. He has amassed 1,879 yards on 131 carries (a 14.3 yard per carry average) and 30 touchdowns.
Standout quarterback Carston Poole will lead the Prescott offense. Poole has thrown for 2,386 yards on 115-of-166 passing with 10 interceptions and 28 TDs.
Jacaylon Zachery has been Poole's favorite target and has caught 36 passes for 748 yards and eight scores. Omarion Dickens has 25 catches for 604 yards and eight TDs. Zachery also has four interceptions.
Jason Patrick leads the area in tackles with 175 for the Curley Wolves. Teammate Tidorian Thompson has made 115 stops this season. Ra'shawn Bell leads Prescott in interceptions with five.
"Defensively, we will have to control the line of scrimmage," Glass said. "We will have to win at the line of scrimmage and move them back into the backfield. Offensively, we will have to try to get some movement. They have good size and and speed on the defensive line so we will have to get on our blocks, get movement in order to run and pass protect."
Zachery is the second-leading rusher for the Curley Wolves with 452 yards on 50 carries and six touchdowns. Teammate Eric Grigsby has 297 yards on 35 attempts and six scores.
The winner will play either Booneville or Harding Academy in the Class 3A state title game at 7 p.m. on Dec. 11.