Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

PHS Looks For Another Conference Win At DeQueen

A lot of `ifs' entered into the Prescott-Nashville game Friday night. And, although Nashville won it 29-12, it very well could have been the other way around.

`If' the Curley Wolves had not fumbled; `if' they had been able to defend the pass better; `if' their offensive line had been able to ward off the Scrappers' defensive line better; `if' the defensive just could have - you get the picture.

Many opportunities were missed against the `more powerful and stronger' Scrappers, but the score could have been the other way around.

All things considered, the Curley Wolves didn't do bad. They just didn't win. If they just could have ...

Nashville's first touchdown came on the Scrappers' first possession. They were able to take the ball into the end zone in 13 plays, using a variety of running plays and passes.

The Wolves, after beginning on their 26, punted from their 44.

Nashville, beginning on their 18, worked the ball down to the Prescott five, where the Prescott defense stopped them. A field goal was tried, but failed for the score to remain 6-0 as the first quarter ended.

Thanks to a couple of Nashville penalties to begin the second period, Prescott got off to a pretty good start. Then the offensive line broke down, allowing the Scrappers to sack Al Johnston three times.

It started at the Nashville 40. Johnston was hit for a nine-yard loss back to the 49. Then the Wolves were able to move the ball to the Nashville 24, before Johnston was sacked for two more big losses. The Wolves were close, but couldn't score.

The Wolves almost got a break. Justin Jernigan's punt was very, very short. Jernigan took out after his own kick and succeeded. He was stopped a long ways from a first down and even a late hit penalty didn't give the Wolves enough for the first down. Another bad break.

Five times in the second period Johnston was hit for losses: nine, 15, 18, 10 and 10. The first time he faced a second and 19. On third and 19 he managed to escape the oncoming Scrappers and ran the ball for the first down.

When Jernigan punted it was fourth and 39. Later it was fourth and 34 and fourth and 20 for the Wolves. The Nashville defense was killing Prescott.

After the Jernigan short punt, the Prescott defense was able to contain the Scrappers with Prescott getting Nashville's punt at the Prescott 38.

Once more the Scrappers were penalized, giving the Wolves high hopes. However, their hopes were soon to disappear as tailback Heath Duke had the ball taken away from him for a Nashville takeover.

One big 46-yard pass play and the Scrappers held a 12-0 lead. A two- point conversion play was missed.

The Wolves had to punt again with Nashville getting the ball at the Prescott 37-yard line.

On a fourth and two situation from the Prescott 29, the Wolves made an impressive stop and got the ball on a turnover on downs at their own 29.

Carlos Van Hook made a big first down, picking up 31 yards at the Nashville 40.

He then gained six more, and Johnston got the first down at the Nashville 26.

A screen pass for Jason Morrow gave the Wolves another first down at the Scrappers' 10. Then trouble started.

Johnston was swamped by the Scrappers. Some instances the ball could have possibly been thrown out-of-bounds so the line of scrimmage would have remained the same, but Johnston took two sacks before `downing' the ball to stop the clock as time was running out with no time outs left for Prescott in the first half.

Mike Fountain, who had missed only one point after try all year and who had missed no field goals, was wide to the left - just barely missing the uprights to leave the score at 12-0 for the first half.

For the first half:

• Prescott had six first downs, five in the second period. Nashville only had seven, getting six the first period.

• Johnston passed four times, completing two in the second period for 55 yards. The other two fell incomplete. Nashville attempted 12 passes the first two quarters, completing four for 98 yards and one touchdown. The other passes fell incomplete.

• Prescott's backfield only netted 37 yards on the ground the first half while the Scrappers netted 88.

• Prescott was penalized three times for 25 yards while Nashville was penalized five times for 45 yards.

• The Curley Wolves lost the ball twice on two fumbles. Nashville remained in control.

• Each team missed a field goal, but Nashville also missed a two- point conversion and a kick for the point after.

Whatever Coach David Bennett told his players at halftime sparked them to life. They took the opening kickoff and traveled 75 yards, chewing up the clock, to score.

Van Hook got the first call from the Wolves' 25-yard line and a first down at their 44.

Another Nashville penalty gave the Curley Wolves a first and five from their 49. Van Hook got the first down at the Nashville 46.

On first and 10 no progress was made, but on second and 10 Van Hook cut up field dodging tackles and nearly breaking lose. He was stopped at the Nashville 15 for another first down.

Van Hook gained four yards on the next play, then Johnston was thrown for a loss. Instead of being thrown for another loss on the next play, Johnston attempted a pass. It was dropped, but Nashville was called for defensive interference, giving the Wolves a first down at the eight.

On first and goal to go from the eight, Van Hook gained two; Terry Woodley then picked up four yards; and Johnston gained one on a sneak play, bringing up fourth and goal to go from the one. Van Hook got the call and the TD with 6:57 left in the quarter. A good series of plays that ate up the clock.

Nashville was charged with illegal motion on the point after try, giving Prescott a little advantage. However, Fountain's kick was too low and it was blocked by a host of Nashville defenders for the score to remain 12-6.

But not for long.

Nashville came storming back after the kick-off and scored again with a pass from 11 yards out. It took 10 plays for the 80-yard drive. This time the two-point converesion worked and Nashville had a 20-6 lead.

Two penalties against the Curley Wolves on their next possession had Jernigan punting again from his 33-yard line on fourth and 11. The kick was returned to the Prescott 20. The Scrappers were only two plays away from another touchdown, which came on the first play of the final period, thanks to a face mask penalty against the Curley Wolves.

This time the two-point conversion was missed for the score to remain 26-6.

Brad H