Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Wolves' tactics frustrate 'Dogs

Throw out the 46-3 final score. It doesnt really count.

On the other hand, the important thing for the Curley Wolves was how the team played from the opening kick to the final buzzer  smart and hard.

Sure, Springdale is the top rated school in the state, deservedly so, but the Bulldogs didnt find the going as easy as expected or anticipated Friday night against the Wolves. In fact, the Dogs were frustrated much of the contest.

Part of the reason for the frustration was because Prescott held on to the ball, keeping it away from the powerful Dog offense, and the Dogs could score almost at will. But, as its been said many, many times, the best offense in the world cant score from the bench.

The game opened with Springdale winning the toss and taking the opening kick. The Dogs started at the visitor 31, getting a break from a penalty against Prescott on the kick.

The opening kick went out of bounds, but instead of taking the ball at the 35, Springdale opted to have the Wolves kick again.

Mike Mustain, the No. 2 rated quarterback in the nation, moved the Dogs to the promised land in three plays, taking a total of 42 seconds. He hit Damian Williams with a 30-yard strike for the score. The point after made it 7-0.

Prescott began on its 29, lining up with a full-house backfield. The quarterback and two backs shifted to the right side of the line, leaving Travaro Culter alone. The ball was snapped directly to him, with Culter racing to the overloaded right side for a gain of two.

The Wolves ran this play four straight times, always testing the left side of Springdales defensive line. Culter earned a first down on three carries.

Prescott moved to the 48 before running out of steam and having to punt. The ball rolled dead at the Dog 14.

Once again, Mustain lined up in the shotgun formation, the only formation used by Springdale during the night, and went to the air. It took four plays for the Dogs to cover the 86 yards, with the touchdown coming on a 32-yard pass to Andrew Norman with 4:49 left in the first quarter. The PAT made it 14-0. The drive took 1:35 off the clock.

The kick went into the end zone for a touchback, as did all the rest of Springdales kicks. Prescott began at its 20, again working the clock, with quarterback Ben Smith standing at the line watching as the play clock ticked off seconds, taking the snap with two or three seconds left. This frustrated Springdale all night.

The officials made their presence known throughout the game as well, calling ticky-tacky penalties, and in some cases making bad calls, such as the grounding call against Prescott on its second drive. Smith was being pressured and fired the ball out of bounds, but the pass was in the vicinity of a Wolf receiver.

Shortly thereafter, the officials gave a sideline warning when Coach Brian Glass complained about the calls being made.

Still, the Wolves moved from the Prescott 20 to the 48 with the help of two personal foul calls against the Dogs. One of the calls was for a late hit out of bounds, with the other for roughing the passer. Prescott made it to the Dog 22 as time ran out in the first.

The Wolves drove to Springdales 13 before settling for a 30-yard field goal from the toe of Justin Marcum.

For the remainder of the half, the Dogs scored on every possession, with every play being a pass. Springdale scored on an 80-yard drive following the Prescott field goal, covering the distance in three plays to go up 21-3.

The next score took two plays to go 53 yards, with Mustain hitting Ben Cleveland from 27-yards. The PAT made it 28-3. Interestingly, this was the last point after the Dogs would make on the night.

Springdales final score came on a two play drive covering 24 yards after a one-yard punt by Prescott. Mustain connected with Matt Clinkscales for the touchdown. The PAT was the first missed by Alex Tejada, and a moral victory for the Wolves.

Prescotts offense kept the ball and showed the ability to move it offensively, but scoring was not an option as penalties stopped drive after drive.

Halftime arrived with the Dogs up 34-3.

Prescott took the opening kick of the second half, ran three plays and punted, with the ball being downed at the Wolf 43.

Springdale substituted an entire team, with Jeremy Paxton taking over under center. He wasnt as accurate as Mustain, but still got the job done. He moved the Dogs to the promised land in five plays, connecting with Mike Bush on a 16-yard touchdown. There was a bad snap on the point after with the Wolves stopping the conversion attempt. The score invoked the mercy rule with the clock rarely stopping for the remainder of the game.

Starting at the 20, Prescott ran three and punted with the ball rolling dead at the Dog 45 with 5:45 to go.

The Dogs moved to the Wolf two as time ran out in the frame. Adam Jones scored on the first play of the final period. Jones was Springdales workhorse on the ground. Again a bad snap resulted in no points. But, Springdale led 46-3.

Smith was intercepted on his second pass attempt of the ensuing drive, with Springdale returning it to the Wolf 26. However, a holding call on the pick moved the ball to the 47. It was three and out for the Dogs as Springdale punted for the first and only time of the night.

Prescott took over at its 25, ran four plays with the drive stalling at the 35, inches short of a first down with 3:01 left in the game.

Springdale ran the clock out for the win.

Unofficially, Prescott was six of 16 in passing for 83 yards. Springdale was 14-18 for 368 yards.

Prescott punted five times for 148 yards, with one returned 18 yards. Springdale punted once for 22 yards.

The Wolves were penalized eight times for 60 yards, while the Dogs were flagged seven times for 65 yards.

Smith was sacked once, while Mustain went home untouched.

Prescott ran a total of 47 offensive plays, while the Dogs had 32 snaps.

Prescott gained 26 yards on the ground in 31 rushes, with Springdale gaining 68 yards running on 14 attempts.

The Wolves ended the game with 109 offensive yards. The Dogs had 436 total yards.

Prescott had 12 first downs on the night, with Springdale earning 14.

Next up for the Wolves will be the Hope Bobcats, another long-time foe. The game will be played at Hammons Stadium with the kickoff set for 7:30.