Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Game Is 1:30 Sat. Afternoon

Who would have ever thought it?

Prescott and Nashville?

Two teams from the 7AA Conference have made it to the finals of the Class AA championship in Little Rock. The two teams will match up at 1:30 Saturday afternoon in War Memorial Stadium. Prescott is 14-0-1 and Nashville is 12-2.

In the latest Democrat rankings Prescott is first and Nashville is second.

The Curley Wolves advanced by escaping the Clarksville Panthers (no. 2 last week) Friday night in the semi-finals, 32-26. Nashville defeated once number one Dollarway, 10-6.

The Curley Wolves havn't lost a game. Nashville has lost two, one of them coming from the Wolves on September 29. The other loss was to Mena.

The Scrappers will be after revenge with a capital R. That may be putting it mildly.

Nashville started the season at the number one spot in Class AA. Prescott was unranked. Only after the season began did Prescott get recognization. Even then Dollarway, Pulaski Academny, Clarksville, Nashville, Stamps, Fordyce and De Queen were ranked higher. Not until Prescott beat Nashville 28-13 did the Wolves go ahead of the Scrappers. But other teams in the 7AA Conference were still ranked ahead of the Wolves.

So, yes, the Scrappers will be seeking revenge -- or blood.

And maybe the conference is as strong as the Prescott coaches have said all along. Perhaps two teams from the same conference prove it. There will be a lot of talent on the field Saturday afternoon.

Wanting the championship is a driving force for the Wolves. Up until last week they had overwhelmingly demolished all opponents in the playoffs. Nashville, the second time around, is a team the Wolves want to play. This should prove the first was no fluke; the Wolves are for real.

The Wolves are playing as a complete team. Clarksville was just a tougher team than the others. Nashville will be tough, too. Tougher than they were the first time. It's preparation time all over again for the Wolves.

While the Wolves have the desire and determination, the fans play a big hand in it, too, especially in War Memorial Stadium where the fans can make a big difference.

Get your tickets now. Adult tickets are $4 in advance; student tickets are $3. However, at the gate Saturday they will be $5 and $4 respectively. Tickets may be bought in advance at the Prescott High School office.

A caravan will be leaving Prescott at approximately 8:30 Saturday morning going to War Memorial Stadium. See separate article.

Although the Wolves barely held on for the win Friday night, it was obvious that the determination was still there: both, the defense and the offense, demonstrated it. All this with several players out: Carlos VanHook for the entire game and Kyron Johnson and Courtney Bryant the second half. It looks like Bryant, with a torn ligament, will also miss the finals Saturday afternnon.

This will affect the team greatly, but, then, maybe not either. No doubt Bryant has been a powerful force behind the Wolves. He has been very dominant, gaining over 1,400 yards so far. But the Wolves proved Friday night they can play without him, even score without him. This is a solid team.

Now the Wolves must really be curley. They must prove they can do it. Coach Eddie Jackson has a number of backs who can pick up big yardage. The team can do it.

One of the troubles Friday night was mistakes. Give some teams a turnover and they will shove it down your throat. Clarksville did. Two of three Prescott turnovers in the second half were turned into TDs for the Panthers.

The championship game should not be one of turnovers. It must be played to perfection. The material will be in maroon and white; the desire in their minds; and the determination in each play.

Against Prescott the first time, Nashville quarterback Jared McBride completed 22 of 37 passes for 317 yards. However, their offense had a minus 43 yards rushing.

McBride was intercepted twice during the game. He was sacked 8 times by the Prescott defense for a net loss of 76 yards. This is the type of defense Prescott must play again Saturday.

Although the Curley Wolves survived Friday night, the Clarksville Panthers gave them the biggest scare in the state playoffs thus far. They had a great team, and the Wolves should be proud of their efforts.

Another fine effort was seen at halftime. All during the playoffs the Prescott marching band has been more outstanding than the visiting band. Friday night was no exception. This is just another reason why you should buy your ticket at school this week for Saturday's game.