Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Redbugs Roar Back In Second Quarter; Defeats Curly Wolves, 35-3

Prescott fans were able to see the Curley Wolves' defense in action the first half Friday night against Fordyce, although the Redbugs came through in style the last half, defeating Prescott, 35-3

It wasn't that the Redbugs couldn't move against the Prescott defense the first half, because they did. It was because the Curley Wolves were able to make the big play to end a drive, giving up only seven points the first half.

Prescott held Fordyce to eight first downs the first half. But the Redbugs managed 144 yards on the ground and through the air during the first two quarter.

The Wolves were very fortunate that only seven points were scored during the same two periods.

What has been shining for Prescott in other games this year was not present. The offense only scored three points during the game, and that was withing the first two minutes.

Prescott had won the toss of the coin and had opted to take the ball the second half. The Wolves kicked off to Fordyce with Steve Horton trying to field the ball, but who could not find the handle. Calvin Flemons recovered the ball at the Fordyce 15 for Prescott

The Curley Wolves got as far as the eight-yard line on three carries. On fourth and three, Mike Fountain kicked the field goal to give the Curley Wolves the only score they would get from the state's number two Class AA team.

Prescott only had a total of 71 offensive yards the entire game. The Wolves finished with 47 points on the ground and 24 through the air. That's it. The Redbugs wouldn't allow anymore.

On the other hand, Fordyce finished with a total of 391 yards. The Redbugs rushed for 301 yards with Roger Grandy (naturally) getting 180 of them. He also scored three of the Redbugs' five TD's. Quarterback Brad Wallace passed 11 times, completing six for 90 yards, including one TD to Darryl Edwards in the fourth period.

Fordyce's first touchdown came in the first quarter when Justin Kerwin went in from eight yards out.

By far the biggest quarter for the Redbugs was the fourth, when Grandy rushed for 81 yards of the 140 net for the 'Bugs.

While much of Fordyce's failure to do more in the first half could be blamed on the cold and wet ball, the Curley Wolves would certainly have to get credit for stopping them on three different occasions.

After Prescott kicked its field goal, the defense was able to stop the Redbugs at the seven after they had moved the ball 58 yards and had made three first downs. A field goal attempt was missed for the score to remain 3-0.

Twice more durng the half the Curley Wolves were able take over after the Redbugs failed to make a first down, and with 44 seconds left inteh second period, Jason Morrow intercepted a pass.

Of course, turnabout is fair play, they say. Al Johnston, Prescott's quarterback was also intercepted four plays later to end the half.

In the first half, Prescott and Fordyce each had two turnovers -- a fumble and a pass apiece.

Prescott only had one first down the first half and made fewer than 20 yards offensively. The Wolves made four first downs the second half.

The second half was a lot worse. This time it was Prescott's time to fumble -- not on the kick-off, but soon after. On the first offensive play the ball just squirted out of the hands of Carlos Van Hook as he was trying to find running room up the middle. Fordyce recovered.

Several plays later, Prescott recovered a Fordyce fumble deep in their own territory. Then Fountain's punt from out of the end zone was partially blocked with the Redbugs getting the ball at the Prescott 28.

Five plays later Grandy got his first TD of the night. After making one first down, Prescott had to punt back to the Redbugs with Fordyce controling the rest of the period and driving as the quarter ended.

Starting at the Prescott 48 after the punt, it took Grandy and Company 11 plays to get the next score. The Redbugs held a 21-3 lead with 9:12 left in the game.

Prescott again managed to get another first down on its next possession, but the Curley Wolves had to punt on fourth and nine with Fordyce taking over much further away from the goal line than the last.

Of course, it made not difference.

With the line of scrimmage at their own 25-yard line, Grandy gained two yards, then Wallace ran up the middle for two yards in what could have been a broken play or a draw. A pass to Ryan Jones at the 36 set up the next TD.

Grandy took the hand-off and burst through the line for his longest ad last touchdown of the game. The extra kick made it 28-3 with 5:52 left in the game.

Another touchdown was not long coming.

Flemons took the kick-off at the 12 and returned the ball to the 28. On first down a penalty moved the ball back to the 23. So, on first and 15 the pitchback was missed and Fordyce recovered the fumble at the Prescott nine-yard line.

Wallace, on first down, was right on target as he hit Edwards in the deep corner of the end zone.

Grandy rushed 24 times for 180 yards during the game. Prescott's biggest rusher was Terry Woodley, who rushed for 32 net yards with 10 carries.

Johnston attempted 15 passes, completing two. He had two interceptions. Wallace threw one interception and four others were missed while he connected six times.

Prescott had five first downs to Fordyce's 19.

The Curley Wolves were penalized five times for 40 yards while Fordyce was penalized four times for 50 yards.

Prescott led in turnovers. The Curley Wolves fumbled three times in addition to losing two interceptions. The Redbugs fumbled twice and they also were intercepted twice.