Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Football season ends at CAC

There is a saying, "We have met the enemy and he is us."

This proved to be the case Friday night when Prescott basically handed the second round playoff game to Central Arkansas Christian, 21-13.

The Wolves beat the Mustangs everywhere but the scoreboard. Prescott outgained CAC on the ground, 191-160, and through the air, 176-110. Prescott even had more first downs than the Mustangs, 20-14.

But, Prescott also turned the ball over more and had drive killing penalties to help keep the team out of the end zone. The Wolves were inside the CAC 20-yard line four times aside from the two touchdowns and came away empty, either turning the ball over on downs, or with a turnover.

The game opened with Prescott winning the coin toss and taking the kick. However, the ball was booted out of bounds, setting the Wolves up on the Prescott 35.

Before the first play could be completed, CAC was flagged for grabbing a facemask, and Prescott was at midfield.

Two runs by R.J. Vanhook had the Wolves at the Mustang 48, and facing a third and eight situation. Zach Martin went to the air, only to see his first pass slip through the hands of A.J. Lewis and into the hands of CAC's Zak Fortner, who took the pick to the Wolf 43.

Prescott's defense shut the Mustangs down on the first three plays. Fourth down saw CAC line up as if to go for a first down, but quarterback Jesse Gates dropped back into shotgun formation and punted the ball to the Prescott 15 with 9:02 left in the first period.

CAC was flagged for jumping offside to move the ball to the 20, on Prescott's first play, only to see the Wolves return the favor with an illegal shift, which put the ball back on the 15 before the play could be run.

The Wolves managed to earn a first down and move to the 30 before punting to the CAC 33.

The Mustangs gained 15 yards in two plays, before going backwards on a holding call. CAC managed to get close on third down, but faced a fourth and two situation. Prescott's defense kept the drive alive by jumping offside. From there, the Wolf defense stiffened and forced CAC to punt, with the ball being downed at the Prescott 18 with 3:02 showing.

Martin hit Lewis, who fought to the Prescott 32 on the first play. Vanhook broke free, getting to the CAC 43 before being brought down. Martin returned to the air finding Ray Smith at the 25, then hitting Smith again at the eight.

The Mustangs jumped offside on the next play, moving the ball to the four. However, the CAC defense, along with a little help from the officials, kept Prescott out of the promised land.

Jason Butler carried to the two, with Martin being called down at the one. However, it appeared as though Martin's momentum carried him into the end zone for an apparent touchdown. The officials, though, spotted the ball about 18 inches from the goal line.

Period one ended with Vanhook being stopped for no gain. Butler was stopped at the goal to start the second quarter and give the ball to the Mustangs.

An offside call moved the ball to the six and gave CAC a first and five set up.

The Mustangs moved to the Prescott 47 before Gates was picked off by Lewis at the Wolf 20.

Throughout the night, CAC, primarily in the shotgun offensive formation, relied on Gates's legs, or handoffs from Gates to Ellis Copeland. This is, when Gates wasn't going to the air.

After the interception, the Prescott offense was fired up and ready. The Wolves drove 80 yards in 11 plays, scoring when Martin found Lewis from three yards out with 4:49 left in the half. Fufa's point after gave Prescott a 7-0 lead.

CAC, after the ball rolled into the end zone, started at its 20, ran three plays and punted.

Prescott took over at its 40, but was unable to move and punted as well.

CAC used some trickery of its own as Copeland fielded the kick, reversed his field and handed off to Justin Bentley, who made it to the Prescott 31.

Four plays later, Gates went in from 10 yards out. The point after tied the score at 7-7 with 52 seconds left.

The Wolves, taking over at the 35 after the kick went out of bounds, moved downfield, getting to the Mustang 16 before calling Prescott's final time out with five ticks on the clock. Fufa was called upon for his first field goal attempt of the season, a 35-yarder. The kick was straight, but fell short as the buzzer sounded.

CAC got the ball to start the second half, ran seven plays and punted with 8:54 to go in the third.

Prescott took over at its 23 and moved to the CAC 44, where Martin was picked off, ending the drive.

CAC gained nine yards on two plays and lined up for a quarterback sneak on third and one. Gates found a seam and sprinted 46 yards for the Mustangs's second score with 5:41 showing. The point after made it 14-7.

This ended scoring in the period, as neither team was able to mount or maintain an offensive drive.

The quarter ended with CAC at its 49, facing a second and four. Prescott's defense stiffened and prevented the Mustangs from earning a first down, forcing the team to punt instead.

The kick was downed at the Prescott 23, with the Wolves moving the length of the field, getting to the CAC 19 before Lewis fumbled with 5:46 left in the game.

But, on second down, Gates fumbled, with Prescott recovering at the Mustang 18. Martin handed off to Lewis, who found Butler at the goal line. Butler pushed about four Mustangs into the end zone for Prescott's final points.

Fufa's point after attempt was blocked, putting the score at 14-13 with 5:20 remaining.

Starting at the Mustang 33, CAC's offense moved downfield, relying heavily on the running game to eat time off the clock.

CAC made it to the Prescott nine with 1:21 remaining. The Wolves called time out, with Coach Greg Smith telling his charges to let the Mustangs score.

The idea was to keep CAC from taking any more time off the clock than necessary and give the Wolf offense a chance to tie the game.

Gates scored the gimme with 1:15 to go. The PAT made it 21-13.

Tyler Yarbrough fielded the kickoff at the six, returning it to the 18.

The Wolves, on the strength of Martin's right arm, moved to the 35 before turning the ball over on downs with 20 seconds left.

Gates took a knee to end the game.

Gates was sacked three times in the contest, while Martin was sacked but once.

However, Prescott was flagged 10 times for 66 yards in loss, while CAC was penalized nine times for 79 yards.

Vanhook was Prescott's leading ground gainer, running the ball 17 times for 122 yards.

Overall, the Wolves ran the ball 33 times for 191 yards, or an average of 5.8 yards per carry.

CAC rushed 32 times for 160 yards, for an average of five yards per carry.