Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Curley Wolves Still Looking For First Win

In spite of what the Prescott-Hope score may indicate, the game Friday night was much closer. Even though Hope won it 35-21, two of the Bobcats' touchdowns came from the Prescott offense in the second half, when quarterback Al Johnston was intercepted.

Johnston, however, was part of all three of Prescott's TDs. All were passes to three different receivers: Jason Morrow, Douglass Glenory and Carlos Van Hook.

And, while the Curley Wolves may not look like it yet, a continuous improvement may have the team ready when the real season starts next week. Certainly an improvement - albeit small - was seen Friday night by the defense over the previous Friday.

One of the biggest problems Prescott had in its first two games was itself - costly defensive mistakes against Ashdown and costly offensive mistakes against Hope. Hopefully this will be all taken care of Friday night as the Wolves travel to Gurdon for its annual rivalry against the Go-Devils.

While some corrections in the Wolves' defense were seen Friday night, they still have a way to go. Hope, itself, had a much more powerful offense than in years past. Prescott on the other hand does not have as strong a team as in the past few years, but things are improving.

It's important to play these non-conference games first so mistakes can be corrected by the time the `real' season begins - conference play. This week at Gurdon will end the `early' non-conference games. Next week the Wolves will host Bismarck to begin their action in the 7AA Conference.

Therefore, the Wolves must show a lot of improvement this week at Gurdon. While Prescott does not have the strength or depth it had the past two years, Gurdon does.

The Go-Devils in Prescott last year never got past the first quarter. When a terrific thunderstorm interferred, they called it quits. By that time Prescott was already ahead 14-0. Don't look for the Devils to call it quits in any quarter this year. They'll be after Wolf hides, trying to make up for all the losses Prescott has given them the last few years.

Even so, the game should be close. After all, a rivarly exists between the two teams. And, even when Gurdon has the material, Prescott often causes mistakes the Go-Devils don't usually make against any other team.

Friday night should be action-packed, even though the two teams are in different conferences now. Electricity is still in the air.

A traveling trophy, begun two years ago by the Nevada County Picayune and The Gurdon Times, will be given to the winning team. Prescott has owned it the last two years.

Last week's pre-game action was going Prescott's way: the Wolves won the coin toss and elected to kick off, a sure sign Prescott had Lady Luck on its side. The Bobcats, however, didn't know that and scored on its first series of downs, mainly behind the running efforts of tailback Steve Edwards.

Hope took only eight plays to score after the opening kick-off, and Edwards carried the ball six of those eight times, including the scoring TD from two yards away. The point after try was blocked by Prescott's Al Johnston.

On its first series, Prescott had to punt. Hope did likewise, but a group of yellow flags showed up on the punt and the Bobcats were penalized 30 yards before it was over with. Prescott had the ball near the 50 and it was time to score.

But you can't put points on the board until you score. On third and seven, Jason Raglon intercepted Johnston for a turnover. This was the first of five passes Johnston had intercepted during the game.

Mike Fountain, who had missed a good-looking pass from Johnston on the previous series, turned the guns on Hope and intercepted a Courtney Cole pass on first down. He was finally stopped at the Hope 39, a better position than when the Wolves were on offense.

Johnston threw over the head of Jason Morrow on first down and missed again on second down. On the third try he connected with Morrow, but for a one yard loss. On fourth and 11 coach David Bennett elected to go for a first down. Johnston went for Fountain, but the ball was nearly intercepted with two defenders tipping the pigskin in the air. Fountain got it for the Wolves.

Van Hook gained nine yards on the ground for Prescott, then Johnston hit Morrow for another first down at the Hope five-yard line.

On first down, Morrow caught Johnston's pass in the end zone for the TD. Fountain's kick, which continues to look good and could make a big difference in some games, was good. Prescott led 7-6 with 2:50 left in the first quarter. This would be the Wolves' last lead.

Prescott's defense held the Bobcats on the next series and Hope was forced to punt. Prescott also had to punt when the Wolves found themselves backed up their six-yard line on fourth down. Jarrod Yates' kick netted 23 yards when it rolled dead at the 29.

A Hope penalty on first down moved the ball to the 34. Edwards moved the ball seven yards and Derodrick Bright gained two more on a reverse before quarterback Cole gained 17 yards and a first down on what appeared was a broken play.

Edwards went in for the TD on second down from the three. On a two- point conversion, Cole hit Correy Muldrew and Hope led 14-7 with 8:21 left in the half.

Prescott again had to punt with the Bobcats getting the ball on their 41-yard line. A mixture of plays moved the ball to the Prescott 17, where Cole connected with Muldrew in the end zone for their third touchdown. Collin Pilkinton kicked the extra point, making the score 21-7 with 4:13 left in the half.

A personal foul against the Wolves ended the half; the 15 yards was awarded the Bobcats on kick-off of the third period. However, the kick went out of bounds and Prescott began on their 35.

A fumble on the first play gave Hope the ball, but the Bobcats had to punt on fourth down. After making two first downs, Johnston was intercepted near the Hope 25, but a runback by Bright gave the Bobcats the ball at the 25 on the other end ofthe field.

Trying for a score on fourth down from the four, the Prescott defense held once more.

On first down for Prescott Van Hook was stopped for no gain. Then Johnston went for Morrow with a pass. Morrow fell down with Gray Ramsey intercepting and getting the TD with 3:32 left in the third period. The point after try by Jared Sorrels was good and Hope led 28-7.

Prescott had to cough up the ball again on the next series on fourth and 14.

Hope didn't have any luck moving the ball and on third down Aaron Hawthorne recovered a fumble for the Curley Wolves, giving them the opportunity to score again.

On first down Johnston's pass was tipped by Hope defenders Billy Roberts and Columseco Moore with Flenory catching the ball and getting the touchdown. The point after try by Fountain w