Prairie football preview: New in many places, ‘fresh start’ has Falcons thinking big

“It’s a fresh start for Prairie,” he said.

While not new to the program, Mike Peck takes over as a first-time head coach after serving as offensive coordinator in 2017. What isn’t new, either, is the offense. Prairie still runs Peck’s spread offense, the same offense that led to successful teams during Peck’s seven years assisting at Battle Ground.

But what Peck said makes a successful offense isn’t the scheme itself, but rather, the execution.

And that begins with basics tailoring to the personnel at Prairie.

“It’s all the small, little details,” Peck said, “that make the big picture pretty sweet.”

And that’s why the spread makes for a fun offense for players like Clark and fellow senior Bryce Cordon.

“It’s so simple,” Cordon said.

The duo are two players Peck said transformed themselves not only to varsity players in the off-season, but are expected to be key contributors in their first full season of varsity football.

For Cordon, a receiver and safety, a growth spurt and body transformation led to a confidence boost to just how much he can do for this team.

“Peck switched the offense,” Cordon said, “and it started working fantastically.”

3 THINGS TO KNOW

— Prairie tied for third in 2016 and ’17, on cusp of reaching postseason both years.

— Mike Peck, youngest coach in 3A GSHL, takes over as first-time head coach.

— Mark Greenleaf, ex-Woodland head coach, takes over as Prairie’s defensive coordinator.

2017 season: 3-6, 2-3 3A GSHL.

Best state finish: Quarterfinals in 1985, ’86, ’89

Schedule

Home games at District Stadium

League games in bold

Aug. 31 Parkrose (Ore.) 7 p.m.

Sept. 7 at Washougal 7 p.m.

Sept. 14 Black Hills 7 p.m.

Sept. 21 Battle Ground 7 p.m.

Sept. 28 at Kelso 7 p.m.

Oct. 5 at Mountain View 4:30 p.m.

Oct. 12 Hudson’s Bay 7 p.m.

Oct. 19 Fort Vancouver 7 p.m.

Oct. 26 at Evergreen 4:30 p.m.