Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Wounded Wolves pull out win at Glen Rose

Picture this:

A beat up Prescott team heads to Glen Rose.

The Curley Wolves rely on junior varsity quarterback Ben Smith because of injuries to A.J. Lewis and Ryan Roberson.

Most Wolf drives are stopped by penalties  many questionable at least and some phantoms seen only by the officials.

Now, picture, if possible, the Wolves starting seven sophomores, and many others who are playing in different positions for the first time.

With all these adverse conditions it wouldn't be surprising had the Wolves lost. However, this was not the case as Prescott managed to pull off a 13-6 win over the Beavers, scoring in the last 42 seconds of the game.

As Ripley would say, believe it or not, this is what happened, with Smith doing yeoman's work under seriously stressful conditions as his grandfather had died earlier in the week.

The game began with the Beavers winning the toss and deferring to the second half. But, before the two teams took the field Prescott was flagged for delay of game.

What happened was this. The Wolves, as the team does during every game, gathered at midfield for the Wolf chant. According to the scoreboard clock there were about 90 seconds left before kickoff. The officials, however, threw the flag and hit Prescott with the delay call.

This had Glen Rose kicking from the 45. The opening kick was covered at the Prescott 30.

Three plays saw the Wolves knocking at the door of the Glen Rose end zone at the Beaver 25. But, a home friendly flag on the next play moved Prescott back 10 yards for holding.

The drive stalled at the Beaver 17, where Glen Rose took over on downs.

The Beavers ran four plays and punted, with the ball rolling dead at the Wolf 40.

Prescott got a break with an offside call against the Beavers, moving the pigskin to the 45. From there, Tristan Stuart fought to the Glen Rose 46. Two more Stuart runs saw the Wolves at the Beaver 31 before a holding call put the ball back at the 38.

Smith winged a pass to Luther Steuart for a short gain, before Prescott got another rare call against the home team for being offside.

Prescott made it to the 11 before being hit with an illegal motion call, moving the ball back to the 16. However, the Wolves weren't to be denied and four plays later, Smith pitched to Stuart who scored from the six with 1:47 left in the first quarter.

The point after attempt was blocked, but Prescott held a slender 6-0 lead.

This was the extent of the scoring for the remainder of the first half.

Glen Rose started at its 39, fumbled, but recovered. From there, the Beavers ran two more plays and punted as the period came to an end.

Prescott opened the second quarter at its 27, fought to the Wolf 38 before flags stopped the drive and forced a punt. The ball rolled dead at the Beaver 23.

Neither team was able to mount or sustain a drive. In Glen Rose's case, the Wolf defense prevented any serious offensive threat. For Prescott, the drive killers were penalties. The Wolves were flagged eight times in the first half.

However, the Wolf defense only allowed a total of 18 offensive yards during the first two periods.

The Beavers tied the game on the first drive of the second half. Starting at the Beaver 23, a screen pass gained 17 yards.

Two plays saw the loss of five yards (due to a motion call against Glen Rose), before a deep pass was caught for a touchdown. The ball was tipped, with the defender falling down. The receiver was able to keep his feet, bring the ball in and score to tie the game with 11:13 left in the third. The point after was no good.

From there, the two teams traded punts for the remainder of the third quarter.

But, as time ran down in the period, Prescott Coach Greg Smith gambled and put Lewis in the game  primarily as a decoy.

The ploy worked as Glen Rose put two men on Lewis wherever he was on the field. This opened the defense and allowed Prescott to utilize its offense more effectively.

The Wolves opened the fourth quarter with a second and nine at the Prescott 20, managed to get to the Beaver 42 before a fumble stopped the drive with 7:11 left.

Three plays later, however, the Beavers fumbled the ball back to the Wolves, at the Prescott 46.

It was three and out, though for Prescott with the punt rolling dead at the Glen Rose 17.

It was one, two, three, kick for the Beavers, as Glen Rose gained three yards, but got a great roll on th punt as the ball stopped at the Prescott 35.

With 2:48 left in the game Stuart gained nine on first down, adding five more on the second play. Stuart's third carry netted a yard as the Beavers were waiting for him.

Smith kept to the Beaver 40 with the clock showing 1:48. Roger Muldrow made his presence known with a four-yard gain to the 36.

Stuart was held for no gain and Smith failed to connect with Lewis on a pass attempt. This left the Wolves in a fourth and four situation with 52 seconds showing. Prescott was flagged for illegal procedure before the snap, putting the ball on the 41.

The Wolves lined up with Smith under center. Smith lateraled to Lewis who found a wide open Muldrow for the touchdown with 42 seconds remaining. The point after was good, making it 13-6.

A squib kick was recovered at the Beaver 37. Glen Rose's night ended with four straight incomplete passes.

Statistics showed Prescott to be dominant throughout the game. The Wolves were seven of 14 in the air for 127 yards. Glen Rose was four of 19 for 94 yards, most of this coming on one play.

Prescott rushed for 197 yards, while the Wolfpack "D" held the Beavers to 20 yards rushing.

The Wolves had 324 yards, while giving up 114.

However, Prescott was flagged 13 times for 85 yards, while Glen Rose was penalized six times for 40 yards.

Prescott recorded 12 first downs, while allowing two.

Prescott fumbled once, losing it. Glen Rose fumbled twice, losing one.

"It's going to be a battle every week," Coach Smith said. "You've got to play each week in the 7AAA.

"We scouted Glen Rose and knew how many deep passes they would try. They made a great catch for the touchdown, but the Prescott defense made the plays and the offense responded."

The Wolves will have to be ready to play Friday night as Prescott makes the trip up Highway 371 to Nashville for a date with the Scrappers.

Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.