Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Wolves hammer Devils, 37-12, in opener

Prescott got off to a rocky start but ended up handling the Gurdon Go-Devils easily, 37-12.

Lightning struck early for the Wolves, as Ryan Roberson handed off to A.J. Lewis, who found a wide open Luther Stueart for a touchdown on the game's first offensive play.

The Wolves led 6-0 before fans had time to find their seats in the stands. The point after was wide left, but Prescott was up 6-0 with 11:44 left in the first.

However, Gurdon didn't come to simply roll over and play dead. The Devils responded with six of their own, driving down the field to tie the game at the 9:43 mark.

The Devils started at the Prescott 30 after an excellent kickoff return. Four plays later, Hunter Johnson went over from the two to tie the game. The point after was no good and the score was knotted at 6-6.

Chris Phillips covered the short kick at the Prescott 40, as Gurdon refused to kick deep and give Lewis a chance to get his hands on the ball.

Prescott drove to the Gurdon 11 before Roberson, under heavy pressure, attempted a shovel pass. The pass was picked off by Kenneth Harper, who returned the interception to the Prescott 40.

However, Gurdon was kind enough to return the favor as Johnson fumbled five plays later. Prescott's Maxwell Hamilton recovered it at the 20.

But, it was three and out for the Wolves, as the team punted the only time at the end of the first quarter. The punt rolled dead at the Gurdon 42.

Gurdon wasted no time in taking the lead, as Jamelle Lacy scored on a 52-yard scamper on the second play of the period. The try for two was no good, but the Devils were up 12-6 with 11:06 left in the half.

From there, though, it was all Prescott, as the Wolves scored two more times before halftime, and three times in the second half.

The Wolves started at the Prescott 36 and marched downfield to tie the game. Prescott needed nine plays, with the touchdown coming on a quarterback draw by Lewis from 31 yards out. Prescott's try for two was no good, but the game was tied at 12-12.

Neither team distinguished itself on point after attempts, as only one was made during the game, and it when the outcome had already been sealed.

Gurdon began at its 27, ran two plays and fumbled, with Lewis picking the ball up and running it in for six to give Prescott a lead the Wolves would not relinquish.

With 6:38 left in the half, Prescott led 18-12. The two-point conversion was no good.

Neither team could mount or sustain a drive for the remainder of the half.

Gurdon took over to start the third quarter, ran three plays and lined up to punt. However, the Devils were flagged twice before the punt occurred, both penalties for illegal motion.

When the kick finally occurred, it was tipped. One of the Wolves attempted to pick the ball up, but couldn't, which led to a fumble. However, Prescott managed to fall on the loose ball at the Gurdon 38 with 9:40 left.

It took the Wolves five plays to score again, with Lewis finding Ben Smith open on a slant for six from 21 yards out. The try for two was no good, but Prescott led 24-12.

Gurdon began at its 16 on the next drive, and got to the 25 before fumbling the ball away again. Prescott recovered the errant pigskin at the Devil 20.

A holding call moved the Wolves back to the 28, as the penalty was marked off from the spot of the foul. From there, though, Prescott only needed five snaps to score again. Roger Muldrow capped the drive going in from the five to make it 30-12. Again the try for two failed.

Gurdon began at its 20 and saw Calvin Nolan dragged down at the 13 under a heavy Prescott rush. However, the Devils were aided by an unsportsmanlike conduct call against Prescott, which moved the ball to the 31.

Gurdon marched downfield, getting to Prescott's 22 as time ran out in the third. The Devils made it to the Wolves' 13 before being stopped and turning the ball over on downs with 9:51 left in the contest.

Prescott scored its final touchdown on the ensuing drive, running eight plays and overcoming two penalties, including an intentional grounding call which put the Wolves in a second and goal situation from the 26.

Lewis found Roberson for an 18-yard touchdown with 3:50 left. The point after split the uprights giving Prescott its final margin of victory at 37-12.

Both benches were cleared to get young players into the game and give them actual game experience.

Unofficial statistics show Prescott ran 48 plays to Gurdon's 42.

The Wolves ran the ball 34 times for 244 yards, while Gurdon rushed 39 times for 246 yards.

Prescott was seven of 14 in passing for 150 yards and one interception, while Gurdon was one of three for 17 yards.

Both teams punted once, Gurdon for 11 yards and Prescott for 36.

Prescott was heavily penalized, getting flagged nine times for 75 yards, while Gurdon was flagged seven times for 45 yards.

Prescott had more first downs than Gurdon, 18-12.

Gurdon fumbled six times, losing three, while Prescott put the ball on the ground three times, recovering all three.

Overall, the Wolves had 394 yards offensively, while Gurdon netted 263.

Lewis was Prescott's leading rusher, carrying the ball 16 times for 127 yards.

Prescott averaged 7.2 yards per carry during the game.

The Wolves will be on the road Friday night as they travel to Springdale for a date with the Bulldogs.