NWADG Prep Rally Football Playoff

28 PREP RALLY PLAYOFF: THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2017 T R E E S E R V I C E PR A I R I E GR O V E 4 7 9 - 6 0 1 - 5 5 9 1 4 7 9 - 8 4 6 - 43 3 3 HAROLD MCILVAIN II Special to the NWA Democrat-Gazette CHARLESTON — Charleston senior wide receiver Mason Wisdom doesn't get the most attention from opposing defenses, but that's just how he likes it. at's what happens when you have played your high school career alongside a player like fellow senior wide receiver Sean Michael Flanagan, who is committed to the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville. "He has been a guy that doesn't get all the spotlight," Charleston coach Greg Kendrick said of Wisdom. "And he is just fine with that. He likes being in the shadows. But since he was a sophomore, he has made play aer play." Wisdom (5-foot-10, 165 pounds) had a breakout sophomore year finishing with 55 catches for 872 yards with 6 touchdowns. He followed that up with 720 receiving yards on 54 catches with 8 touchdowns in his junior year. With injuries to Flanagan and senior running back Bradyn Ketter this season, Wisdom has been asked to be the go-to guy at times for Charleston (10-0). He hasn't disappointed. "is year has been one to remember for sure," Wisdom said. "Just playing football with all my best friends here has been great. We are playing great right now. You can't beat that feeling. Now we are just looking at the playoffs and we'll see where it takes us." Wisdom leads the team in catches, yards and receiving touchdowns entering postseason play. He has 43 receptions for 676 yards with 11 touchdowns this season. "Mason was really called on in the absence of Sean and Ketter," Kendrick said. "He is one of the returning guys that we have really leaned on the last three years. You can try to teach to guys for years and years how to get open. Mason just knows how to do it." Wisdom showed in the first game of the season what he could do when Flanagan is oen double covered. Wisdom finished with nine catches for 146 yards with three touchdowns in a 29-23 victory against Dardanelle. "at was a good one for sure," Wisdom said. "It's always great to start the year hot like that. It was nerve-wracking walking into the game. But with our offense, it's hard to cover everybody." For the past three years, Wisdom and Flanagan have made it tough on defenses trying to shut down the pass-heavy offense from Charleston, which has averaged 39 points per game this year. Wisdom has 152 catches for 2,268 yards with 24 touchdowns in his career at Charleston, while Flanagan has 2,583 yards on 156 catches for 35 touchdowns. "We want them both around the football at all times," Kendrick said. "Sean is not as good without Mason, and Mason wouldn't be as good without Sean. ey complement each other. ey are a two-edged sword on offense." Charleston first-year quarterback Brayden Caudle has had a smooth transition taking over the new role for the Tigers. Caudle finished the regular season completing 133 of 210 passes for 2,077 yards and 30 touchdowns. Wisdom and Flanagan have been a big part of making the switch as easy as possible for the junior signal caller. "He is one of the more reliable receivers I've ever thrown to," Caudle said of Wisdom. "You just kind of just throw it up and he'll go get it. We've got two of those types of receivers this year, but Mason has been there for me all season." Wisdom has been a two-way starter for the Tigers the past three years also playing as a defensive back. He has had a breakout year as a senior finishing with a career-high 45 tackles so far. "I'm just all over the place looking to provide a spark for the offense and defense," Wisdom said. "I take a lot of pride being on the field at all times. It's good to be a Charleston Tiger." ere are very few plays Wisdom takes off on a typical Friday night. He plays on offense and defense as well as all but one special teams unit for the Tigers. Wisdom is on both punt units and even is the holder. "e only play he takes off for us is when we kickoff," Kendrick said. "He does it all for us. He gets that small break on kickoffs, but he has done that in the past. He makes an impact in all three phases of the game." Wisdom has given Charleston fans plenty of opportunities to cheer for him this season with his team-high 11 receiving touchdowns. But perhaps Wisdom's biggest fan might be Kendrick's four-year-old son. Whenever Kendrick gets an opportunity to throw the football around at home, Kendrick said his son likes to pretend he is Wisdom catching touchdowns. "He is a great example for my young son," Kendrick said. "Mason is the definition of what we want a Charleston Tiger to be. He is a 4.0 GPA student and is one of the smartest kids we have on the team. He is at the right place doing the right thing on and off the field." Charleston's Wisdom steps into spotlight FILE PHOTO Mason Wisdom, right, will lead the Charleston Tigers into the Class 3A state playoffs. Wisdom is the Tigers' leading receiver. Charleston advanced to the Class 3A state championship game last season. AT A GLANCE MASON WISDOM SCHOOL Charleston CLASS Senior HEIGHT 5-10 WEIGHT 165 POSITION Wide receiver NOTABLE Two-way starter for the past three seasons playing wide receiver and defensive back. … Leads the team in receptions (43), receiving yards (676) and touchdowns (11). … Caught 152 passes for 2,268 yards with 24 touchdowns in his career at Charleston. …. Wisdom is uncommitted to a college program. He is looking to be a physical therapist. Charleston Tigers (10-0) DATE OPPONENT RESULT Aug. 29 ............at Dardanelle ....................... W 29-23 Sept. 8 ..............L.R. Episcopal ...................... W 42-6 Sept. 15 ...........at Ozark ................................. W 42-28 Sept. 22 ...........Cedarville* ........................... W 48-12 Sept. 29 ...........at Paris* ................................. W 29-26 Oct. 6 ................Two Rivers* .......................... W 44-0 Oct. 13 .............at Lamar* .............................. W 42-7 Oct. 20 .............Atkins* ................................... W 42-20 Oct. 27 .............at Perryville* ........................ W 35-6 Nov. 3 ...............Mansfield* ............................ W 35-6 * — Denotes 3A-3 Conference game CLASS 3A ird Generation Jeweler Family Owned Since 1948 ANNIVERSARY BIRTHDAY ENGAGEMENT BABY Here for you since 1948 for every occasion… Northwest Arkansas' Most Trusted Jeweler Since 1948 4075 North Shiloh Drive | Fayetteville, AR | 479.443.3222 | www.hperryjewelers.com

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