Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Seminoles Skin Curlet Wolves; Season Ends

Mistakes can be costly. This proved to be true Friday at Osceola, as the Seminoles eliminated the Curley Wolves, 12-6, from the state play-offs.

Five times quarterback Al Johnston had passes intercepted. Almost as many times Prescott receivers dropped the ball. No reflection on any of the players -- Osceola's defense was prepared for the Curley Wolves.

The fast, fiesty Seminoles were just too much for the Curley Wolves. Although Prescott kept fighting back -- getting very close to scoring on more than one occasion -- the Seminoles were able to stop the Curley Wolves every time except on one drive.

It was very frustrating as time ticked off and Prescott couldn't muster another score -- so close, yet short.

But it wasn't because the Wolves didn't try. They tried hard to overcome the deficit, and several Prescott players were injured --none seriously -- during the game. Time eventually ran out for them.

The loss eliminated Prescott out of a match-up this week with Nashville at Little Rock in the championship game, much to the dismay of everyone in Prescott.

Last year Prescott and Nashville met in the finals for the championship with the Curley Wolves coming out on top, 14-8. Prevously, the Wolves had defeated Nashville, 28-13, in the regular season.

This year it was right the opposite. Nashville defeated Prescott during the regular season, 32-21. It was only right that the Curley Wolves get a second chance as Nashville did last year. Now those dreams have come to an end.

Last year Prescott and Nashville were one and two respectively. This year Nashville and Prescott were one and two, in that order. Now the best Prescott can do is finish third -- fourth if Lonoke (which was defeated by Nashville last week) should be ranked third.

But it was a good year for the Curley Wolves. It was so close ... but there will be another year.

So the Class AA champions of last year had to travel to Osceola to meet last year's Class AAA champions. By all rights, Osceola still should be a Class AAA school with over 2,000 students. Prescott has fewer than 1,100.

The scoring came early for the Seminoles, but not on their first possession. Osceola had to punt on fourth down.

Prescott went into Osceola territory on its first possession, but was stopped on fourth down, giving the ball back to the Seminoles at their 31.

Jonathan Adams, who has rushed for around 2,500 yards this season, was given the ball. He went outside and escaped all Prescott defenders as he went 69 yards for the touchdown. Before you could say, "Score!" he had.

Adams' speed was a confirmation of what everyone had heard about him. Now it was time for Prescott to put a stop to his reputation.

It should be noted, however, that Adams had been averaging better than 220 yards per game. Friday he only had 162 yards.

The PAT was missed to make it 0-6 with 6:33 left in the first period.

But the biggest surprise was yet to come.

Prescott fumbled the kick-off, but recovered at the Wolves' 22 to begin its scoring drive.

Sam Marlow managed three yards on the first play and Carlos Vanhook lost a yard on the second. Johnston attempted a pass for C.D. Flemons that fell incomplete, but the officials ruled that Flemons had been interfered with, giving Prescott a first down at the 39.

Vanhook gained a yard on the next play, then Johnston connected with Rashad Johnson for the first down, and a big one at that. The play ended at the Osceola 20.

Before the night was over, Johnson had been recepted to five more Johnston passes. Many more fell incomplete for the wide receiver.

From the 20, Tracy Stafford gained four yards for the Wolves. Getting the ball again, he picked up three more. Then Johnston hit Johnson again, this time for the score with 3:38 left in the quarter.

Mike Fountain's attempt at the extra point was missed for the game to remain tied at six.

Early in the second period Johnston was intercepted after reaching the Osceola 22.

Osceola had to punt again, then Prescott punted with the Seminoles getting the ball at their 36-yard line. A timeout by Osceola coach Clinton Gore must have inspired the Seminoles as they began a march into Prescott territory.

The drive ended, however, when Terrell Burton took the ball away from Don Littleton for a turnover on the Osceola 24. On fourth down Prescott had to punt back to the Seminoles with the ball rolling dead at the 41 of Osceola.

Osceola was penalized five yards on the first play with a delay, moving the ball back to the 36. Then the surprise.

Osceola all year had not passed for a hundred yards. Forget that now. On first and 15, quarterback Darrell Williams went for Littleton down field and caught the Prescott defenders off guard, as they were looking for something else. Williams connected and the goal line came toward Littleton in a hurry. Osceola led 12-6.

The Seminoles elected to go for two extra points, not one point as they were lined up to do. A pass was completed, but Johnson stopped the receiver before he could get in the end zone to leave the score as it was.

While Prescott was stopped after only one score, one can't take anything away from the Wolves' defense. This was it. No more scoring from either side. Defense was in action.

It only allowed Adams 162 yards. But get this: he rushed 32 times. Three times he was stopped for no gain. Six times he was stopped with losses.

The Prescott defense also caused three turnovers. Twice in the second half the Seminoles were stopped.

And get this: Johnston may have been intercepted five times, but he had the most yardage of any single game all year. He completed nine of 25 passes for 218 yards; 11 were incomplete which is about average for him.

Several Osceola fans were highly impressed with his passing ability, especially in the first half after Prescott scored.

In all, Prescott netted 306 yards. Only 88 came from rushing, which is not average.

Osceola had 222 net yards rushing. Williams only attempted three passes (including the 2-point try). He completed the TD pass for 64 yards.

Prescott finished with 11 first downs. Osceola had 12. The defense was tough on both sides.

Prescott was only penalized twice for 20 yards. Osceola had six penalties for 55 yards.

Another comparison between Prescott Osceola was the most games won in post-season play. Counting last year and this year, Prescott had won the most and Osceola was second.

Some fans complained about the officiating, particularly the placing of the ball after a rush. But the truth of the matter is Osceola had a good team, the best Prescott had played since Nashville. But they had to earn their victory.