Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Wolves non-conference play improving; Hope's next

The classic match up of football-loving communities was contested last Friday night at Cummins Stadium located on the campus of Prescott High School. The atmosphere for high school football was typical for an early September Friday night, the humidity was high and the bugs were numerous, as the defending 2006 Class 4-A State Champion Nashville Scrappers visited the 2006 Class 3-A State Runner-up Prescott Curley Wolves.

The stands were full, as many in the crowd started arriving before 5 p.m. to enjoy the fellowship and camaraderie that is Arkansas high school football.

The game began with Prescott receiving the ball on the opening kick-off and Travaro Coulter returned the ball 8 yards to the Prescott 31. Prescott s Termaine Henderson started the first drive with four consecutive sprint option plays, working with DeMarcus Collier at running back. Collier took over at quarterback for a sprint draw play to create a 4th and long inside Nashville territory. Henderson came back in and ran the quarterback draw for a 22 yard gain and the 1st and goal from the 9 yard line. Prescott was unable to move the ball inside the red zone, and turned the ball over on downs. Prescotts first offensive driveof the night was ten plays long, pushing the Nashville defense into a deep hole.

Nashville s first offensive drive of the night covered the whole field, but stalled out in the red zone on the other end of the field. Nashville turned the ball over on downs and Prescott took over on their own 20.

Prescotts second drive of the night took up thirteen plays, mixing the option and pass in to drive the ball again into Nashville territory. Nashville was able to intercept Henderson to end the drive in the 2nd quarter. On the very next play, Prescott s Michael Hamilton returned the favor and intercepted a Nashville pass to scramble 15 yards for the first score of the night. Collier punched it in from the 3 for a two-point conversion, and Prescott led Nashville 8-0 with 10:04 remaining in the 2nd quarter.

Nashville took over and was in deep trouble until a penalty gave them a 1st and 2 from the Prescott 31. The next play, Nashville fumbled the ball over to the Wolves to end the drive. Six plays later the Curley Wolves lost a fumble of their own to give the ball back to the Scrappers with good field position on their own 35. Ten plays later, Nashville s DeShawn Scoggins scored from 5 yards out to get Nashville on the board. The extra point was no good, and Prescott held an 8-6 lead with 3:18 to play in the half.

Prescott was unable to score on their next possession and punted the ball away after a seven play drive only netted 24 yards. Nashville only had time for two plays before half, and Prescott went to the locker room with an 8-6 lead.

The second half opened with Nashville moving the ball well and threatening. Prescott s Daron Purifoy intercepted a Nashville pass in the end zone, but the line judge marked the ball inside the 5 yard line because he thought Purifoy was down before going into the end zone. Nashville s defense stuffed the next play for a safety and 2 points to tie the score at 8 with 9:43 to play in the 3rd quarter.

Prescotts Ray Smith punted the free kick from the 20 yard line, and Nashville returned the ball to the 42 yard line. Nashville started a ten play drive aided by a 10 yard penalty, to score on a 1 yard run on a 2nd and goal to take the lead. The extra-point was again no good, and with 5:59 to play in the 3rd, Nashville held a 14-8 lead. Nashville would not relinquish the lead again this night.

Prescotts next drive started from the 20, but after a holding penalty, the Curley Wolves found themselves on their own 3 yard line. Prescott had to punt on 4th and very long, and gave the ball back to Nashville on the Prescott 18 yard line. On the next play, Prescotts Marquis Wilson intercepted the ball in the end zone to stoop the threat. This time there was no question about the touch-back, and Prescott took over on the 20 yard line. On the very next play, the ball came loose, and a mad scramble ensued until Nashville had recovered the ball in the end-zone for a touchdown. The two-point conversion was good, and Nashville took a 22-8 lead with 4:42 to play in the 3rd. Prescotts next drive stalled and they had to punt away to Nashville again. Nashville took over and put together a five play drive to score on a 4 yard 1st and goal to extend the lead. The extra-point was good and Nashville held a 29-8 lead with 3:01 to play. Prescott answered after the kick-off with an eight play, 80 yard drive capped by a 31 yard quarterback sweep by Collier to get Prescott back in the game. Ray Smiths kick was no good, and with :01 seconds remaining in the 3rd period, Nashville lead Prescott by a score of 29-14.

Both teams turned the ball over in the 4th, either by interceptions, fumbles, punts or just failing on 4th down. Nashville finally ended the scoring with 3:26 to play in the game with a 29 yard touchdown run by Tyler Serrano to take the win 36-14.

Prescott ends the non-conference games next Friday with a showdown in Hope as Nashville will take on Arkadelphia. The effort shown by the Curley Wolves was outstanding, and shows the improvement from the prior week.