Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Wolves hand Devils 24-13 victory

Gurdon did not beat Prescott, in spite of the final score being 24-13 in favor of the Go-Devils.

Overall, the Devils did nothing outstanding, other than take advantage of Curley Wolf mistakes.

Gurdon's longest drive of the night was 68 yards, and it was the result of one of three lost Prescott fumbles.

"The team that plays the hardest and makes the fewest mistakes will win," said Prescott Head Coach Greg Smith at the outset.

The Wolves played the hardest, but made the most mistakes.

Wolf fans should be pleased with the effort the team put forth during the contest, as the players never quit  even as time was running out, the Wolves continued fighting, trying to pull out a miracle.

The Wolves showed the ability to move the ball, but repeatedly killed drives with penalties and turnovers.

If the eight penalties for 65 yards, and three fumbles were eliminated, Prescott would have had a 13-0 win. But the game isn't played by if's.

Prescott won the opening toss and deferred to the second half, giving Gurdon the ball first.

Cevin Laster took the kick at the Devil 15 and was hammered at the 18.

The Devils pounded the middle of Prescott's defense repeatedly, moving the ball to the Wolf 37 before being forced to punt.

Jarrod Norwood fielded the punt at the nine and managed to get it back to the 13 where Prescott's offense took over.

It was three and out for the Wolves, as Prescott was forced to punt the ball back to Gurdon.

The Devils took over at the Gurdon 43. This field position was greatly improved as Prescott was hit with a 15-yard penalty for interfering with the receiver on a fair catch. This moved the ball into Wolf territory at the 44.

Eight plays later, Gurdon's K.P. Meeks broke free at the 15 to score the first touchdown of the game, with 2:49 left in the opening period.

Gurdon, having nothing resembling a kicking game, opted for the two-point conversion and was successful, making it 8-0.

Haris Williams took the pooch kick at the Prescott 35, returning it to the 49.

R.J. Vanhook took the handoff, found a seam on the right side and sprinted 51 yards for the score.

Prescott attempted a two-point conversion, but failed, leaving the score at 8-6, with 2:36 showing in the first.

This was the last time in the quarter Prescott's offense saw the ball.

Gurdon returned the kickoff to the 27, but punted three plays later.

However, Norwood, after letting the ball bounce, attempted to pick it up, but fumbled after getting hit.

The turnover was questionable, as Norwood's knee appeared to be down at the time. Still, the officials gave the ball to Gurdon at Prescott's 33.

The Wolves added to Gurdon's already excellent field position by jumping offside on the next play, moving the ball to the 29.

Period one came to an end with Meeks moving the ball to the 25.

Prescott's defense bent, with Gurdon getting to the four before turning the ball over on downs to get the second quarter underway.

Vanhook gave the Wolves some breathing room as he broke free to the Gurdon 49 before being caught.

At this point, it appeared as though the Wolves were going to take control of the game as the team marched to Gurdon's 25 before Chris Hopper fumbled, with Gurdon recovering at its 32.

The Devils took over with 5:43 left in the half, marched 68 yards for the score on 13 plays. The drive culminated with Jake Plyler finding a wide open John Watson in the endzone with Gurdon's only completion of the night.

Again the Devils successfully went for two, making the score 16-6, with eight seconds showing.

Dustin Morrow fielded the squib kick to end the half.

Prescott's offense ran a total of nine plays in the first 24 minutes of play.

Gurdon squibbed the kickoff, with Zach Richards fielding it at the 35, where Prescott started the second half.

It was the Vanhook show early on, as he carried seven times to Gurdon's 11. The Wolves were aided by a facemask call against the Devils, moving the ball 15-yards closer to the promised land.

After reaching the 11, Martel Woodley carried to the 5, with Martin keeping to the two.

Vanhook fought to the one, before Martin scored on a quarterback sneak with 7:13 showing.

The point after made it 16-13.

Dorsey Kelley took the kick at the 8, returning it to the 35, only to see the offense sputter as Prescott's defense stiffen.

Three plays later the Devils punted, with the ball rolling dead at the Prescott six.