Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Wolves put up good fight, fall short against Nashville part 1

Prescott's Curley Wolves proved they could run with the big dogs and put points on the board.

However, the team didn't show the ability to avoid mistakes and turnovers, which proved fatal against Nashville as the Scrappers posted a 62-30 win in 7AAA action Friday night at Cummins Field.

This loss drops the Wolves to 2-3 at the midway point of the season and 1-1 in league play.

The Wolves showed tenacity and determination in the game, which lasted almost three hours.

After winning the opening toss, the Wolves deferred until the second half, thereby giving Nashville the ball first.

The Scrapper offense had two possessions before Prescott's offense set foot on the field.

After Willie Hopson returned the opening kick to the Scrapper 27, Prescott's defense held tough, forcing a punt after three plays.

R.J. Vanhook, though, misplayed the punt, with Nashville recovering the fumble at the Prescott 37 with 10:53 left in the first quarter.

Brian Pope went to the air immediately, but found the aerial attack lacking against Prescott's secondary. In fact, Nashville was only able to complete four of 22 passes during the game.

As the passing attack wasn't working, the Scrappers used Hopson as a workhorse throughout the game, much as Prescott utilized Demaricus Craven offensively.

Following the gift, Nashville, under Hopson's running, scored in seven plays, with Hopson carrying five times.

The point after was good, making the score 7-0 with 8:29 left in the inaugural period.

However, the Wolves came to play as well, and were prepared to show Nashville how football was played in Prescott  until the mistakes occurred.

The kickoff went out of bounds, drawing the first of 16 flags during the night (14 during the first half alone, and eight in the first quarter).

Prescott took over on its own 35.

Vanhook atoned for his fumble by breaking free and sprinting to the Scrapper 10 before being brought down from behind.

Craig Teague gained two on his first carry, before Zach Martin found Eli Ratcliff in the end zone for six. The point after tied the score at 7-7 with 7:27 left.

While there were a number of drives involving long yardage, it generally required few plays by either side to cover the distance.

Hopson took the kick, returning it to the 19 for Nashville.

An incomplete pass on first down was followed by Hopson gaining 11 yards on a sweep. He broke free on the Scrapper's third play, scampering to the Wolf 28.

Pope was picked off by Jarrod Norwood at the Prescott two on the next play, with 6:19 to go.

Before the Wolves could get the ball snapped, they were flagged for improper equipment and moved half the distance backwards.

Martin cured this problem by hitting Ratcliff at the 17 to give Prescott some breathing room.

This gain was augmented by a flag against Nashville for unnecessary roughness, and put the Wolves at their 32.

Three plays later, though, Martin was picked off by Justin Soils, with the interception returned to the Prescott 34.

Hopson carried three times for Nashville's second touchdown of the night. The PAT made it 14-7 with 3:52 remaining.

Once again, the kick went out of bounds, as the Scrappers were trying to avoid kicking the ball to Vanhook.

This time, though, Prescott accepted the penalty and made Nashville kick the ball again. Charles Gulley fielded the ball at the 24, taking it to the 40 before being brought down.

The Wolves wasted no time in covering the 60 yards for their second touchdown of the quarter.

It began with Craven getting nowhere on first down, but breaking loose to the Nashville eight on second down.