Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Wolves gain measure of revenge with 32-29 win over Hope part 1

What a night.

Oh, what a night, it really was. And it really was some kind of night as the Prescott Curley Wolves went to 2-1 on the season with a 32-29 win over the Hope Bobcats.

However, the Wolves had to battle more than just the Cats, as the officiating was more than questionable.

Overall, the zebras threw their flags 20 times during the game, with Prescott being penalized 15 times. The officials missed several calls against the Cats including: holding, clotheslining, illegal motion and grabbing a face mask.

Still, the important thing is the Wolves won and gained a measure of revenge over the Cats for the 2001 debacle.

Touchdowns came with lightning speed at times, as each offense showed the capability to score from any point on the field.

Prescott won the opening toss, with Jarrod Norwood fielding the kick at the 14, returning it to the Wolf 20.

The Wolves went to the air as Zach Martin flipped a screen to A.J. Lewis, who found a seam on the left side of Hope's defense and scampered to the Cat one before being brought down.

Martin put the Wolves up 6-0 on a quarterback sneak the next play. The point after was wide, but Prescott was up 6-0, before fans on either side were settled well in their seats.

The Wolves's score came with 11:27 showing in the first.

J.R. Conway took the ensuing kick at the Cat 21, getting to the 30, where Hope's offense took over.

Hope needed four plays to punch their first touchdown over. It came on an eight-yard sweep by Martez Floyd. The PAT was good, putting the Cats up 7-0.

The drive was aided by an unnecessary roughness call against Prescott on the third play.

Still, two touchdowns had been scored and two minutes had yet to elapse from the clock.

However, those two scores proved to be the extent of points put on the board in the first period, as penalties killed Prescott and the Wolf defense stiffened against Hope.

In all, Prescott was flagged six times in the first quarter, for a total of 38 yards in penalties. It goes without saying, the constant barrage of flags slowed play down considerably.

Period one ended with Hope in possession and driving. The Cats, with the aid of an interference call against Prescott, were at the Wolf eight facing a second and goal as the buzzer sounded.

This didn't set well with Prescott's defense, as Brock McCorkle was sacked on the first snap of the second quarter. He was introduced to Martel Woodley up close and personal for a painful loss of four yards.

Of course, the Wolves were hit with an offside call on third down, keeping Hope's drive alive. Still, the Cats were unable to score on third down and attempted a 25-yard field goal. The kick was wide, giving Prescott the ball on the Wolf 20 with 10:39 left in the half.

Four plays and 80 yards later, Prescott had put its second touchdown on the board and led 12-7.

R.J. Vanhook got things started with a 12-yard run on the first snap, and added two more on second down.

Martin failed to connect with Vanhook on the third play, but found a wide open Joe Stueart for a 64-yard touchdown pass on the fourth snap.

The Wolves unsuccessfully tried a two-point conversion, but held a 12-7 lead.

The Cats, starting on the Hope 38, began moving toward the promised land, only to see the drive end with a fumble by Floyd.

Prescott fell on the loose ball on the Wolf 35, but was unable to take advantage of Hope's mistake.

The Wolves found themselves in a fourth and long situation. Prescott Coach Greg Smith went to his bag of tricks and had Martin, lined up as the punter, roll out and pass to A.J. Lewis.

Martin hit Lewis at the 38, only to have the play nullified by penalty as Prescott was called for having an ineligible man downfield.