Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Wolves "refust to lose" against Hope

Refuse to lose.

This was the attitude Prescott had against the Hope Bobcats Friday night, as the Wolves improved to 2-1 on the season with a 20-14 victory.

The win didn't come easy or early, as the Wolves had problems getting in sync most of the night. Part of the problem was due to a stomach bug striking most of the team throughout the week. Several players still suffered the bug's effects during the game.

Hope won the toss and elected to receive. Following the kick, the Cats began at its own 36.

Marcus Washington found Brandon Reese with a game opening pass for seven yards. Ephriam Maxwell carried the next three times, moving to Prescott's 43, where the drive stalled and Hope was forced to punt.

The ball rolled into the endzone for a touchback, putting the Wolves on the 20.

It was three and out for Prescott, as the team was slightly out of kilter and only netted six yards in three plays.

Prescott lined up to punt, but a high snap was recovered by Hope and ran in for a touchdown. The point after made it 7-0 with 8:08 left in the opening quarter.

A.J. Lewis fielded the ensuing kick at Prescott's seven, returning it tot he 26, where the Wolf offense took over.

Lewis went to the air, intending a pass for Ryan Roberson, only to have it picked off by Hope's Greg Smith at the Wolf 44.

The Cats began driving toward the promised land, but fumbled the ball away on the fifth play. Luther Stueart recovered the loose ball at the Prescott 24.

The Wolves drove downfield, getting to the 44 before having to punt. The ball rolled dead at the Hope 14.

Jermaine Rudd fumbled on the first play, with Prescott recovering its second fumble at the Cat 16.

Tyler Yarbrough capped Prescott's one-play drive as he found a seam and fought his way into the endzone for Prescott's first score.

The point after was blocked to leave the score at 7-6 with 2:00 left.

Hope started at its 25, getting to the Wolf 49 as time expired.

At the start of the second quarter, the Cats drive continued as Washington hit Blake Moore, who made it to the 15. Five plays later, Maxwell went in from two yards out. The PAT was good, making it 14-6 Hope with 8:39 left in the half.

The remainder of the second quarter was played primarily between the 20s as neither team could mount or sustain a drive. Hope fumbled twice, losing the ball once, and missed a 32-yard field goal attempt as time ran out.

Period three was much like the second frame as neither team could punch one in.

Prescott received the ball and started at its 23, getting to the 47 before the drive stalled and the Wolves had to punt.

It was three and out for the Cats. Hope was flagged twice for illegal motion on fourth down. This time, the snap for the Cats was high, with Hope recovering it at the Cat 38. Still, it was Prescott's ball on downs.

The Wolves ran six plays, driving to the 18 before turning the ball over on downs. This drive also saw Prescott's Roberson go down with a dislocated shoulder on a vicious tackle, more resembling a body slam. Roberson was examined and sidelined for the rest of the game.

The Cats took over with 2:11 left in the third, and got to Hope's 45 as time expired.

Hope could only manage another 10 yards on the drive before having to punt. The ball rolled into the endzone for a touchback, putting Prescott at its 20.

Prescott's offense showed signs of life as Lewis found Stueart at the 43, and hit him again two plays later at Hope's 35.

A reverse with Chris Hopper saw Prescott lose yardage back to the 41, and Lewis was dropped at the 47 on the next play, putting Prescott in a fourth and long situation.

Again, the snap sailed over the punter's head and was recovered by Hope, this time at Prescott's 21 with 6:38 showing.

Throughout the game, the Wolf defense, for the most part, had been bend but not break. This ended when the Wolfpack "D" showed up midway through the fourth quarter.

Hope did managed to get within field goal range, and missed a 32-yard attempt wide.

Prescott started on its 20, but moved backwards five yards following an illegal motion call.

At this point, the Wolf offense showed up and marched downfield for Prescott's second touchdown.

Lewis carried twice to the Hope 41, then found Stueart at the Cat 33.

Lewis carried five straight times, getting to the six, before winging the ball to Stueart for the touchdown.

The two-point conversion failed, but the lead had been cut to 14-12 with1:50 left in the game.

Prescott was successful with an on-side kick attempt, recovering the ball at the Wolf 49.

The Lewis-Stueart tandem connected for a pass moving the Wolves to the Cat 11. Two plays resulted in the loss of a yard, setting up a third and 11 situation.

The first down wasn't necessary as Roger Muldrow broke through the defensive front and fought his way for the touchdown with 0:43.6 to go.

This time, the two-point conversion was good, giving Prescott a 20-14 advantage.

The Cats fell on the squib kick at the Hope 47 and managed to get to the Prescott 25 with 11 seconds to go.

Washington fumbled the snap, with Rudd recovering the ball. He scrambled, threw up a wounded duck on a hail Mary attempt, which was intercepted by Lewis, who dropped to the turf to end the game.

Prescott was flagged for holding following the interception, but, the penalty was declined.

Unofficial statistics show Prescott eight for 20 in passing for 113 yards and one interception. Hope was five for 10 for 65 yards and an interception.

Prescott punted five times for 186 yards, while Hope punted three times for 132 yards.

Both teams were flagged four times for 20 yards in penalties.

The Wolves fumbled twice, losing both, while Hope put the ball on the ground six times, losing four.

Hope recorded two quarterback sacks.

Prescott won the battle of first downs, 15-14.

Hope held the edge in rushing yards with 202, while Prescott managed 149.

Overall, Prescott had 262 total yards, while Hope had 267.

Prescott ran 55 offensive plays to 50 for the Cats.

The Wolves ran the ball 35 times for 149 yards, or a 4.3 yard per carry average. Hope had 202 yards on 40 carries for 5.0 yards per run.

Lewis was Prescott's leading rusher, carrying the ball 23 times for 103 yards.

Prescott will be on the road Friday, Sept. 24, as the Wolves travel to Glen Rose for a date with the Beavers. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.