Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

De Queen Backs Rush For 332 Yards In Win

De Queen running backs Richard Bell and James Love proved too much for the Prescott Curley Wolves Friday night. The two combined for 332 yards to beat Prescott 28-18. Bell had 276 by himself as he scored all four of De Queen's touchdowns.

Prescott was at the mercy of De Queen's home field advantage, which never shows mercy to outsiders.

Questionable calls rattled the coaches on the visitors' side, forcing at least one major penalty against the Wolves.

And, as usual, the Curley Wolves had one touchdown called back after a clipping penalty.

If the Wolves could have stopped Bell from scoring and if they could have stopped Bell and Love from making crucial first downs along the way and if they could have prevented critical errors, the game very well could have been different. As it was, the team should be commended for playing as well as it did.

The Wolves struck before De Queen. In the first period, quarterback Josh Bullock went back to pass from 46 yards out. He could find no one open so he ran to the sidelines and finally into the end zone, only to discover a clipping charge on the run. So Prescott fans found out that Bullock can run. This might help in the rest of the games this season.

Three plays earlier, the Curley Wolves had made a first down, the first in the game.

They eventually scored another TD, this one in the second quarter and the only score in the first half. Prescott's defense had done the rest.

The game started off poorly for the Curley Wolves had the Leopards surprised everyone to begin the kick. Having won the toss they elected to get the ball beginning the second half. Kick-off was a surprise onsides kick with the Leopards recovering the ball near midfield.

But the Prescott defense stopped the fired up Leopards. And they stopped them on the other possessions as well. It was not until the second period that De Queen even got a first down. Gabe Morman, Keon Sockwell and Brian Woodley continued to hammer the offensive line and prevented any significant offensive efforts on behalf of the Leopards. That was the first half. Certainly the second half was a whole new ball game for the De Queen team.

Prescott fumbled the ball to De Queen once (third period) and Bullock threw one pass interception (fourth period), but The Leopards fumbled three times to Prescott, twice in the second period and one in the fourth, and the Curley Wolves intercepted a pass in the second period. In addition to Prescott losing the onsides kick, the Leopards lost one to the Wolves in the final period.

A turnover by the Leopards in the second period led to Prescott's first touchdown.

On the first play of the second quarter Brad Harris punted the ball for Prescott with De Queen getting the ball at the 32. Three plays later the Leopards had their first first down. Two plays later they fumbled with Mark Jones getting the ball for the Wolves.

De Queen got another first down on its next possession, before punting again. Then the Leopards got another first down on another possession late in the period. On first down Love managed one yard by the stubborn Presoctt offense, and on the next play Bell coughed up the ball with Chris Gulley recovering for Prescott at the De Queen 31.

Fred Hopson gained one yard on first down. On the next play, Hopson broke through the line as he went left and went in for score. The point after try by Antone Purifoy was blocked.

Prescott's defense stopped the next possession of De Queen with Edward Glenn getting an interception. He possibly prevented a Leopard TD by so doing.

The Prescott defense continued to demonstrate its ability in the third period, when the Leopards had to punt on their first possession. Prescott had to do likewise with De Queen getting the ball deep in its own territory.

From his 19-yard line, Bell found the opening and with his speed he went 81 yards for a touchdown. The kick after was missed to keep the score tied at 6.

Hopson fumbled to Leopards on the Prescott possession after the score. This gave De Queen the momentum it needed.

Starting at the Prescott 47-yard line, nine plays later Bell went in from 13 yards out. A 2-point conversion attempt failed, but the Wolves were called for defensive holding. On the second attempt, Love went in for the conversion to make the score 14-6.

Prescott had to punt again on its next possession. The Wolves' offensive game seemed to have been shut down. De Queen got the ball att he Prescott 39-yard line.

It was Bell, Love, Love and then Bell got the score, going in from 21 yards out. Once more Prescott was penalized on the extra point try, and again Bell went in for the conversion, making the score 22-6.

The kick-off to Prescott was fumbled, but the Curley Wolves retained possession at their 40. A penalty on first down against the Wolves moved the ball back to the 35, though.

Bullock missed Andrew Fellows with a pass, but went to him again on the next play. This time the play was perfect. Fellows got the ball and, as he was being tackled, lateraled to Calvin Flemons. It was planned all the way, almost as one action. Flemons went in for the score untouched. Once more the point after was missed, keeping the score at 22-12.

After Prescott's second score, De Queen had to punt with Prescott making one first down. The pass intended for Edward Glenn on fourth and nine was over his head.

Bullock made several good passes Friday night and he overthrew some, but all in all he looked good. A couple could not be captured by the receivers as the ball went right through their hands. One could have been another TD; another could have been a big gainer. That's the way it goes sometimes.

After the Leopards took over on downs, they also made a first down, but then they fumbled to Terry Woodley, who managed to get to the other end to the 22 before being stopped. But once more the Wolves were stopped on fourth down, giving De Queen the ball at their own 21-yard line.

Bell lost a yard on first down and on the next, a penalty moved the ball back to the 15. This time Bell managed to get past the defenders, moving through the line and the secondary. There was no stopping him then. He went the entire 85 yards for the TD. The point after try was no good to keep the score at 28-12 with 3:53 remaining in the game.

Prescott took over on their 47. A pass interference call on second down against the Leopards moved the ball to the De Queen 37 for a first down.

A little screen pass was good for eight yards, then Bullock was sacked for a five-yard loss. On the next play Bullock lateraled a pass to Woodley, who passed down field for Flemons. Flemons caught the ball on the run and there was no stopping him as he went in for the touchdown. Once more the point after conversion failed to make the final score at 28-18 in favor of De Queen.

Coach David Bennett said Monday he plans to formally complain about the officiating at De Queen. The same officials Friday also called the De Queen-Prescott two years ago in the same stadium and Bennett thought they did a bad job then.

De Queen finished the game with a total of 351 offensive yards. Don't be surprised if Bell is chosen the state's top running back this week.

Prescott finished with a total of 206 yards, all passing. Bullock was stopped or sacked for a total loss of 63 yards, netting a loss of two yards rushing for the Curley Wolves.

Bullock attempted four passes in the first quarter, one in the second, five in the third and 15 in the last. He was not intercepted until right at the end of the game.

Bullock's longest pass completed was to Fellows in the flea flicker to Flemons, a total of 65 yards.

The first half was just about even for the two teams. Each had three first downs. Prescott had a total of 54 yards rushing and passing and De Queen had a total of 63.

Brian McLelland, quarterback for the home team, only threw eight passes, all in the second period. His last pass was intercepted. His passing wasn't necessary in the last half of the game.

The two teams were almost even in penalties as well. Each had seven penalties. The Wolves had 66= yards marked off against them and De Queen had 65, Prescott's yardage in penalties would have been more, but you can't step off 15 yards on the extra point try when the ball is on the three.

This week is homecoming for the Curley Wolves. They will host the Fountain Lake Cobras, who defeated the De Queen Leopards two weeks ago. Last week, though, the Cobras lost to Mena 20-7.

The big win last weekother than De Queen'swas at Fordyce. The Redbugs beat Nashville, 17-16, in overtime. It's too bad it couldn't been the other way around at De Queen and Fordyce.

As it is now, Fordyce is alone at the top in the 7AAA Conference with a 3-0 record. In second place are Prescott and De Queen with 2-1 records. The rest of the teams in the conference, including Nashville, are tied for last place with 1-2 conference records.

Overall, Fordyce is 4-1; Fountain Lake, Nashville and De Queen are 4-2; Prescott and Bismarck are 3-3; and Fouke and Mena are 2-4.

Coach Bennett said Fountain Lake has a team very similar to De Queen's. "Their backs are big and strong." He said the Cobras are unpredictable, citing the win against De Queen and then the loss to Mena. His team will be prepared for them, however. Bennett also said that Mena is similar to De Queen and Fountain lake. Something to look forward to.

In other games that matter to Prescott fans, Bismarck took care of Fouke, 24-6, in the 7AAA Conference. Hope had a sweet 24-6 homecoming victory over Malvern; Gurdon licked Stamps 39-8; and Mineral Springs stung Horatio 25-3.

Homecoming ceremonies begin at 7:00. The game begins at 7:30.