Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Curley Wolves Battle To 12-12 Tie With Bobcats

The Curley Wolves, who looked like they could run away with the game in the first quarter, only managed a 12-12 tie with the Hope Bobcats Friday night in non-conference action.

The first quarter belonged to the Wolves as they scored two touchdowns and the second was the Bobcats' as they scored twice. Both teams missed scoring opportunities later in the game.

Prescott's touchdowns came on an agressive attack from the punt return team as they blocked two consecutive Hope punts. Both were recovered by Curley Wolves.

Hope had the first possession as James Hayden fumbled the kickoff from Prescott's C.D. Flemons at the 14. It rolled to the four before he managed to catch up with it, then got back to the 12 before the Wolves got a hold on him.

Three runs from Alen McWilliams and the Bobcats had a first down at their 23.

A pass to Grand Wilson moved the ball three yards, but then quarterback Channing Butler threw an incomplete pass. On the next play Kyron Johnson was able to stop McWilliams after a one yard gainer, bringing up a punting situation.

The Prescott rush was on as Charlie Rocket was able to block the punt. It was recovered by Flemons at the Hope 25.

Prescott quarterback Barrett Yates hit Rashad Johnson with a pass for nine yards, and Carlos Vanhook gained two for the first down.

Prescott was then penalized for illegal procedure, costing them five yards.

With the ball back on the 20 Yates tried to hit John Cornelius with a pass, but was interferred with by a Hope defender, giving the Wolves a first down at the 10.

Courtney Bryant, who saw a lot of running action before the game was over, moved the ball three yards to the seven. Then Yates, who was rolling and looking for Cornelius (who was covered up) spotted Bryant in the end zone and connected with a TD pass.

The two-point try failed as Bryant was downed at the nine-yard line.

On the kickoff Flemons got the ball to Greg Wilson at his 13, but managed to get out to the Hope 42 before he was stopped. However, a holding penalty against the Bobcats at the 30 moved the ball back to the 20.

Wilson was stopped for no gain, then quarterback Marty Turner tripped at the 18, bringing up a passing situation for the Cats. However, Terrell Burton was able to sack Turner at the 14 to force a punt.

As Mike Lawson kicked the ball Larry Henderson was in front of it for the block. The ball rolled into the end zone with Courtney Bryant falling on it for the touchdown. The score remained 12-0 as another 2-point try was stopped when Yates was sacked.

Hope took the kickoff at the 12 and Hayden took it to the 27, where the Bobcats started its scoring drive.

They managed a first down on the first play when Grant Wilson fumbled the ball, but a Bobcat fell on it at the 38.

Turner and McWilliams ran the next two plays and got the ball to the Prescott 46 for a first down.

Three plays later they had another first down at the Prescott 28-yard line.

The quarter ended with the ball on the Prescott 21-yard line.

On second and 8 from the 15 Prescott was offsides, which moved the ball for Hope to the 10. McWilliams gained two yards, then Wilson managed the first down at the eight-yard line.

The quarterback got three yards closer before McWilliams managed the TD with 8:43 on the clock. Once more the rush was on as Shannon Allen was trying to get the point after. He attempted to run but was taken down by the Wolves for the score to remain 12-6 in favor of Prescott.

Prescott managed one first down before having to punt. The snap from center was well over the head of Barrett Yates as he was doing the kicking.

He scrambled back and picked up the ball around the 25 or 30, where the kick was deflected. It was taken by Hope at the Prescott 41-yard line.

Wilson picked up seven yards on the first carry and five on the next for the first down at the Prescott 29.

Quarterback Turner connected with tight end Philip Turner at the Prescott eight and managed to find the end zone for the second Hope TD. Once more the Bobcats tried for two points. This time Turner caught Jerry Monk wide open with a pass, but Monk dropped it for a disappointing Hope crew. The score remained 12-12.

Prescott had the ball four times in Hope territory, but the Wolves could not score again.

In the third quarter Al Johnston intercepted a pass at the Hope 42, but once more the Wolves had to punt and once more the snap was over the head of kicker Yates, who did, however, manage a fantastic kick. The Bobcats got the ball on their 25-yard line.

The Prescott defense went to work again. The Bobcats fumbled on its second play with Stan Koger getting the ball for the turnover at the Hope 28.

In spite of a good effort the Wolves had to punt after two penalties drove them back to the 30-yard line of Hope. However, as most everyone knew, the punt was a fake. It was broken up by Bobcat Mike Lawson.

Prescott's next possession was a real test. And they almost managed to make it pay off.

Hope had worked its way to the Prescott eight before turning it over on downs at the six, 94 yards away from the goal line.

Courtney Bryant got the first call and gained 14 yards for a first down.

Carlos Vancook managed three yards and then Bryant took a delay to the 32 for another first down.

Montra Montgomery gained 10 yards and a first down at the 42. Then Prescott was penalized for five yards.

The draw worked again as Bryant picked up nine yards. Yates was taken down on the next play by the face mask. The penalty cost Hope 15 yards and gave Prescott a first down at the Hope 39.

Montgomery gained five yards on the next play, then Bryant picked up the first down at the Hope 19.

Montgomery was stopped for no gain, as was Bryant, but Rashad Johnson managed six yards on the next play, setting up a field goal try at the 13-yard line.

C.D. Flemons attempt was short as well as being off to the left, leaving the score tied at 12 points apiece.

On Hope's next possession the Bobcats had to punt with Prescott getting the ball at the Hope 42. This series was unsuccessful, too, as the Wolves turned the ball over on a fourth and three try that failed.

However, Hope was in command with only 35 seconds left on the clock. A series of pass plays got the ball to the Prescott 27, then a Curley Wolves' penalty moved the ball to the 22 with only two second left in the game. Another Prescott penalty moved the ball to the Wolves' 12-yard line with no time left, but Turner's last pass didn't connect as the game ended at 12 and 12.

The Wolves only managed 137 yards offensively for the night. 105 came in rushing and 32 was gained through the air.

Prescott's leading rusher was Courtney Bry