Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Prescott Offense Comes Alive In 54-6 Win Over Bismarck

Coming from behind has never been sweeter, since it was debatable whether the Curley Wolves had shown up at the ball game in Bismarck. They did. They played. They won big time. They were just sluggish on the first Bismarck possession.

Prescott gave up a touchdown and then got tough, finishing with an impressive 54-6 victory over the Lions. This was the first 7AAA Conference game for either team.

Prescott is now 3-1 over all with the only loss coming from the Class AAAA Hope Bobcats, who are undefeated and they are ranked seventh in the state in their class.

The Curley Wolves are now 1-0 in their conference. Of course the biggest test of the season comes this Friday night when the Wolves will travel to Nashville to challenge the Scrappers, the number one team in Class AAA in the state. In fact, there are three 7AAA teams in the top five: Nashville, Fordyce (fourth) and De Queen (fifth). Prescott is not ranked in the state, being fourth in the conference.

Last week's game against Bismarck started off as a bummer. KATV's crew was on hand to watch the first few plays, which began with Prescott receiving the kick-off and then not being able to do anything with the ball.

Of course, Prescott got a first down on the first play of the game, thanks to a defensive interference call against the Lions. Then, facing a fourth and seven from the Bismarck 44, and knowing the Lions are a weak team this year, Coach David Bennett decided to risk going for it. The Wolves failed, giving the ball to Bismarck.

Prescott was called offsides to give the Lions a 5-yard advantage, then a fumble, recovered by the Lions, set them back two yards. On second down, Marcus Brawley gained five yards. Illegal procedure was called against the Lions on the next play, nullifying what Brawley had gained. On third and six, Bismarck quarterback Jacob Meyers was rushed as he went back to pass, and ran the ball out, way out. He gained 34 yards for the first down at the Prescott 18.

Ryan Mackey gained two yards on the next play, then Brawley found room and the end zone for the six point score. The two-point try after the TD was missed.

The Wolves then put together a drive that began on their 37-yard line after Terry Woodley caught the kick at the eight and made a nice return.

On first down, Woodley was stopped for no gain, then Calvin Flemons hit a hole running hard and gained a first down at the Bismarck 49-yard line.

Quarterback Josh Bullock had to run out of the pocket on the next play and gained six yards. A fumble on the next play by Fred Hopson was recovered by him for no gain. On third down, Flemons again found plenty of running room and wasn't stopped until he reached the one.

Rafeal Marlow got the honors for the touchdown with Jarrod Miller kicking the extra point for a 7-7 lead.

Three plays later the Lions fumbled with Hopson recovering the ball for the Wolves at the Bismarck 35-yard line.

Flemons got the first two calls, gaining 15 yards on the second with a first down at the 20.

Woodley then gained three before Bullock tried to connect with Andrew Fellows in the end zone. He then missed with another pass, bringing up a fourth down. On his next attempt, Bullock connected with Marlow around the five, who managed to get in the end zone for his second TD of the night.

Once more the PAT by Miller was good, making the score 14-6.

The first quarter ended with Bismarck ready to punt on fourth and 12. It was Marlow time.

The punt was blocked by Fellows with the ball going up in the air and Marlow catching the ball and going in for the TD three seconds into the quarter. Miller's kick was good to make the score 21-6.

Prescott completely dominated the rest of the half, but never could score, fumbling the ball on two different occasions.

Flemons gained 88 yards in the half on nine plays.

The Curley Wolves rushed for 168 yards. Bullock attempted six passes, completing only one for 17 yards. The Lions only gained 63 yard rushing. They had no complete passes.

Prescott made 10 first downs to Bismarck's three.

The first half as well as the next was full of mistakes on both teams, but a great concern for Prescott as they will be playing tougher opponents.

Things certainly didn't improve any for the Lions in the second half, although it started off similar to the first half. Quarterback Meyers ran the option well and got a first down on the first play. The Lions then stalled on their own 46.

The snap back to punter Daniel Ashcraft was a bad one, and he couldn't get the ball away because of the Prescott rush. The Wolves took over on the Bismarck 37.

Woodley got some very good blocks and ran the ballto the nine for a first and goal to go.

He got the ball the next times as well, moving the ball to the seven, the three and then the one before going over for the TD. Miller made it 28-6 with his kick.

Steve Laliberte took the Antone Purifoy kick-off near the five, but fumbled at the 15 with Prescott coming up with the ball at the 26-yard line of Bismarck.

Bullock attempted a pass that fell incomplete, Kenneth Pearson then gained nine yards on second down and Bullock sneaked to the 13 for the first down.

On first and 10, Bullock completed his second and last pass, hitting Marlow for his fourth TD of the game with 5:58 left in the third quarter. Miller's point after kick was blocked to leave the score 34-6 in favor of the Wolves.

Starting at their 34-yard line after the kick, Bismarck was penalized three times in the next series, backing them up to the one and bringing up a fourth and 44 situation.

The punt was partially blocked and the kick went out of bounds at the Bismarck four-yard line.

On first down, Woodley went in for the touchdown. Once more Miller's kick was blocked, leaving the score 40-6 and 3:36 remaining inn the third period.

Even with new personnel in the game, the Curley Wolves were aggressive and able to take advantage of mistakes, and to cause them as well. The Lions only suited 16 players against Prescott, so by this time they were worn out. But the new Prescott players needed the action and experience. In fact, Marlow did not run a single down the last half.

Late in the fourth period, Prescott was deep in Bismarck territory and attempted to make a first down with a fourth and six from the 10. A pass fell incomplete to turn the ball over to Bismarck.

No yardage was given to them, however. On second and 10, Meyers went back to pass, was hit and coughed up the ball with Woodley recovering for the TD. This time Miller sent the ball through the uprights for the extra point. Prescott led 47-6 with 6:50 left in the game.

The Lions made a couple first downs before fumbling the ball. Miller recovered for the Wolves at the Bismarck 46-y