Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Tricks and treats abound in Wolf win part 1

There were plenty of tricks and treats at the Prescott-Fouke game on Halloween.

Fouke provided the tricks, along with some treats for Panther fans, while the Wolves made sure there were treats for Prescott fans as well by remaining undefeated with a 48-28 win.

While some may have thought the game was a "gimme" going in, it turned out to be anything but. In fact, the Wolves were on the short end of a 14-7 score midway through the second quarter.

To make matters worse, the Panthers put 28 points on the board under the leadership of freshman quarterback Cody Sutton, who replaced injured senior Kyle McCracken. Sutton and sophomore running back Jared Cox gave the Wolves fits all night.

Fouke won the opening toss, elected to receive and got the game underway at its 36. The Panthers drove to the Prescott 28 before R.J. Vanhook made the first of four interceptions on the night to kill the drive.

Vanhook's pick was in the endzone for a touchback, putting the Wolves on the 20 with 8:34 left in the first.

From there it was the Vanhook show as he carried five times in the seven-play drive, capping it with a seven-yard run with 5:51 showing. The point after by Fufa made it 7-0.

It looked as though the Wolves would be able to make short work of Fouke. Looks were deceiving, as the Panthers had other ideas.

Starting at the Fouke 29, Sutton led the Panthers to Prescott's 26 as the first period came to an end. The Panthers ran 11 plays, chewing up first period. The drive featured a fake punt on fourth down, with the Panthers converting when 12 yards were needed.

Sutton found C.D. Hightower with a 26-yard pass to put the Panthers on the board with 11:52 remaining in the second. The point after tied the game at 7-7.

The ensuing kick went out of bounds, putting Prescott on its 35.

Zach Martin was sacked on first down and missed connection on two consecutive pass attempts, forcing the Wolves to punt.

Cox took the kick at the Fouke 32, returning it to the 45 where the Panthers set up shop.

Fouke was flagged for holding, and moved back to the 35. This failed to deter Sutton as he found Jason Sprayberry, who made it to the Prescott two before being brought down.

The Wolves dodged a bullet when the snap was fumbled and Luther Steuart recovered at the four with 10:05 showing.

However, it was three and out for Prescott, with the punt being fielded at the Wolf 38.

Six plays later, the Panthers were up 14-7, as Cox scored on a five-yard run to cap the drive.

This served as a wake-up call for the Wolves, who began at the Prescott 34 with 6:10 left in the half.

It was again time for the Vanhook show, as he carried five of six times on the drive. The score came on a six-yard run with 3:46 on the clock. On the second play of the drive, Vanhook broke free for 32 yards, being brought down at the Panther 17.

Fufa's point after tied the score at 14-14.

Cox fielded the kick at the Fouke 11, returned to the 28, where he was separated from his thoughts and the ball following a vicious hit. Prescott recovered at the 27 with 3:37 to go.

Five plays later, Vanhook was in the endzone for the third time of the night, scoring, this time, on a four-yard run. The key plays in the drive were a pass from Martin to A.J. Lewis for 11 yards and a 14-yard run by Vanhook.

Nathan Williams fumbled the kickoff, but Fouke managed to recover and gain to the 34.

Cox put the Panthers at the Wolf 25 on two carries before Sutton was sacked by Steuart at the 29. The next play saw Lewis pick off Sutton's pass at the five.

Martin took a knee to end the first half with the Wolves holding a surprisingly close 21-14 lead.

Vanhook took the kick at the 13 to open the second half, returning it to the 27.

One play and 73-yards later, Vanhook scored his fourth touchdown and Prescott had some breathing room, as Fufa's PAT made it 28-14 with 11:41 to go in the third.

The Wolves were fired up and ready to play as Prescott scored three times in the third.

Fouke fumbled the ball away on its next possession, with the Wolves recovering at the Panther 35.

Vanhook gained 18, before Martin connected with Roger Muldrow for the touchdown with 9:22 showing. Fufa's point after put the score at 35-14.

Sutton moved the Panthers to the Prescott 40 on the next drive before Lewis intercepted a pass at the Wolf 25 with 5:46 left.

Vanhook broke free on the first snap, rambling to the Panther five before being brought down. A tender hamstring prevented him from scoring.