Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Wolves come up short at Nashville

Ugly is about the best way to describe the Prescott-Nashville game.

The Scrappers remained undefeated with a 48-21 victory over the Curley Wolves. Nashville also won the inaugural Highway 371 Classic football trophy. This is a new traveling trophy for the winner of the Prescott-Nashville game each year. The winner keeps the trophy until the teams next meeting.

The game began well for the Wolves as Prescott won the coin toss and get the game underway with a return to the 33.

A.J. Lewis led the team to the Scrapper seven before a fumble ended the potential scoring drive.

The Scrappers didn't do much better on their first possession, as Nashville ran five plays and punted to the Prescott 30.

From there, the Wolves fell apart, with some help from the officials, in what could best be described as a questionably called game. Prescott was flagged for holding on the first play, moving the ball back to the 19, as the penalty was assessed from the spot of the foul.

Lewis gained a yard, but was picked off by Ryan Scott, who made a diving interception at the 34.

The Scrappers needed but five plays to cover the distance and put six on the board. Corey Johnson scored from six-yards out. The point after made it 7-0, Nashville with 4:22 left in the first.

There was no further scoring in the opening quarter, but the Wolves were on the move, starting from the Prescott 28, and getting to the Scrapper two before time expired.

Lewis took it in to start the second quarter. The PAT tied the score at 7-7 with 11:54 to go in the half.

Nashville began on its 38 and unleashed its no-huddle offense. This, simply put, wore the Wolf defense out as Prescott players had no time to catch their breath.

Nashville scored three times in the second quarter to put the game out of reach at 28-7 by the half.

The officials were busy as well, throwing five flags in the frame, three against Prescott and two on Nashville, slowing play considerably.

The Wolves showed the ability to move the ball against Nashville, but penalties proved to be drive killers.

The second half was different as both teams scored 14 points. However, the second quarter onslaught was more than Prescott could overcome.

Nashville took the opening kick at midfield, drove 50 yards and scored on an eight-yard pass from A.J. Whitmore to Zach Winton. The PAT made it 35-7 with 9:08 showing.

Prescott returned the favor, starting at the Wolf 34. Lewis relied heavily on his legs to cover the 66 yards, carrying the ball seven times in 10 plays and scoring from a yard out with 3:28 to go. The PAT cut the lead to 35-14.

Nashville kept the ball the rest of the quarter, which ended with the Scrappers at the Prescott 40. The drive ended with a fumble at the Wolf 24 with 9:51 left in the game.

Prescott's offense came alive, covering 76 yards in eight plays, with Lewis finding Luther Stueart with an eight-yard touchdown pass with 5:23 to go. The PAT cut the score to 35-21 and gave the Wolves a glimmer of hope.

An onside kick attempt went awry when Marco Scroggins fielded the kick at the Scrapper 45 and returned it to Prescott's 34.

Four plays later, Johnson ended scoring for the night on a six-yard run. The point after provided the final score at 42-21.

Prescott Head Coach Greg Smith substituted heavily to get younger players game experience.

Unofficial statistics show Prescott seven of 13 in passing for 57 yards, while Nashville was nine of 16 for 109 yards.

Prescott punted three times for 95 yards, with no returns. Nashville punted once for 26 yards.

The Wolves were flagged nine times for 65 yards, while Nashville was penalized seven times for 40 yards.

Both teams fumbled twice, losing the ball once, and both quarterbacks were sacked once as well.

Prescott recorded 18 first downs, while the Scrappers had 25.

The Wolves ran 49 offensive plays, with Nashville snapping the ball 53 times in the game.

Prescott had 197 rushing yards, compared to 349 for the Scrappers.

Overall, Prescott had 254 total yards, while Nashville recorded 458 yards.

Lewis led Prescott's ground attack with 160 yards on 25 carries. In all, Prescott ran the ball 36 times and averaged 5.5 yards per carry.

Nashville ran the ball 37 times but had a 9.4 yard per carry average.

The 7AAA playoff picture could come into better focus Friday, Oct. 8 as Ashdown travels to Nashville in a battle for first place. Both are undefeated overall and in league play.

De Queen will make the trip to Prescott in what will be a battle. The Leopards lost to Mena 12-2. This gives both teams 2-1 conference records.

Kickoff at Cummins Field is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.