Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Curley Wolves Pounce On Leopards, 31-13

Prescott scored four touchdowns and kicked a field goal to easily handle the De Queen Leopards, 31-13.

The Curley Wolves bounced back after being defeated 32-21 by the Nashville Scrappers the preceding week. And, even though the Wolves were `down' somewhat, they easily handled the Leopards.

The Wolves made a lot of mistakes, from turning the ball over, to making a lot of penalties. They were able to overcome the mistakes since the Leopards did not take advantage of them.

This won't always be the case, especially when the Wolves meet tougher teams in the coming play-offs.

Four of the penalties were major ones, 15 yards at a time, giving De Queen a first down in one instance. Other teams could turn them against the Wolves.

Prescott scored in every quarter: Jared Yates from one yard out in the first period; Al Johnston with a 53-yard option run in the second; Sam Marlow with two TD's in the third, one from three yards out and an interception from about 50 yards out; and the field goal came in the fourth when C.D. Flemons booted a 35-yarder.

The turnovers started early for the Wolves. For the umpteenth time, Prescott won the coin toss and elected to kick-off first and to receiver beginning the secon half.

De Queen moved to the Prescott 30-yard line, where they were halted by the Wolves on downs. After two first downs, including a 33-yard run by Marlow, the Wolves had moved the ball to the De Queen 24. Vanhook then lost the handled on the ball with the Leopards recovering on their 20.

The Leopards had to punt on fourth and nine with Rashad Johnson fielding it at his 45. His return was to the De Queen 30, within 10 yards of where the Wolves had fumbled. Four plays later the Wolves scored.

On the first play Vanhook picked up three yards, then Marlow was stopped for no gain. Quarterback Johnston pitched to Marlow on an option play and the fullback picked up 26 yards.

From the one Yates went over for the first TD. Mike Fountain kicked the point after try, the first of four for the junior during the game. Prescott led 7-0 with 4:36 left in the quarter.

Prescott's big Wolfgang defense and a De Queen penalty had the Leopards punting with a fourth and 19 situation. The ball rolled dead at the Prescott 34, but two plays later Johnston was intercepted for the second turnover.

Once more the Leopards drove into Prescott territory and once more the defense stopped them. But the Wolves punted the ball this time, then it was time for the Leopards to turn it over. Ben Jones got the interception on De Queen's second play.

Prescott took over on their 47 and it was time to score. Johnston rolled to his right, couldn't find anyone open and elected to run. He cut across the field and escaped the De Queen secondary for the TD. Fountain added the extra point and Prescott led 14-0 with 9:05 left in the half.

In the third quarter Prescott took the kick-off, but had to punt on fourth down. On fourth down De Queen had to punt. The kick was taken at the Prescott 47-yard line, but a personal foul against the Wolves moved the ball back to the 32.

Marlow moved the ball three yards on the first play, then on the second play he romped down the right sideline to the De Queen 40 for the first down.

Marlow got the handoff again and gained nine yards, then Heath Duke got the first down at the 21.

Again, Marlow got the call and wasn't stopped until he got to the three-yard line., where he took the ball over for the TD on the next play. Fountain's kick was good and Prescott led 21-0 with 6:30 left in the thrid quarter.

Another major foul against Prescott, this one for unsportmanlike conduct, moved the ball to the Prescott 25 for the kick-off. Still, Terrell Burton's kick went to the De Queen 23-yard line. After the run-back, De Queen started on their 38.

With no gain on the first play, quarterback Kevin Sullivan tried a pass that was intercepted by Marlow around mid-field. He was untouched as he went the distance for the TD. Once again Fountain's kick was good and Prescott had a 28-0 commanding lead.

And, once again, De Queen was able to drive the ball. Beginning on their 34 and moving against Prescott's alternates, they managed to get to the Curley Wolves' 15, when a fumble, recovered by Rashad Johnson at the six, stopped the drive.

Prescott, one fourth and a few inches attempted to go for it, but the Leopards stopped Marlow cold.

Derrick Whitmore gained three yards on De Queen's first play, then a pass fell incomplete before Sullivan hit Matt Slaughter in the end zone, ending De Queen's drought. The PAT by Slaughte was good, but Prescott led 28-7 with 11:00 left in the game.

Prescott's next score came late in the game after the Wolves had begun the drive on an unusual play.

The Wolves had made a first down and were in De Queen territory when Johnston was running the option. Being trapped he let go of a pass that was intercepted at the De Queen 39.

On the first play Sullivan attempted a pass that was taken away from the receiver by Doug Flenory which amounted to a fumble recovery. Thus began the drive on the De Queen 41.

Johnston got one yard on the option, Tracy Stafford picked up eight, then the Wolves were hit with another major penalty, clipping. On the next play, De Queen was caught holding, giving Prescott the ball at the Leopards' 42. A quick pass to Ross Cowling got the first down at the De Queen 44.

Shane Pipkin picked up five yards on the next play, Stafford got two more, and Justin Jernigan got two more, bringing up a fourth and one.

Gary Stovall got the call and got the yard and a first down at the De Queen 12.

Pipkin lost a couple yards on the next play, but picked up three on the next. An illegal procedure call against the Wolves moved the ball back to the 16. Duke was caught in the backfield for a four-yard loss, bringing up a fourth and 18.

Flemons kicked the field goal from the 25, and the ball went throught uprights which are 10 yards deep. The score was 31-7.

With the reserves in for Prescott, De Queen began on its own 40. Sullivan hit Lance Martin about 15 or 20 yards downfield with a pass. Martin was able to get away from the Wolves to go in for the TD. The extra point try was missed. A penalty against the Wolves was declined.

Prescott finished with 15 first downs. De Queen had nine.

The Wolves rushed for 280 yards, not including the interception by Marlow and the 50-yard run-back. Johnston attempted 15 passes, completing six for 45 yards for a total of 325 offensive yards for Prescott.

The Leopards had a total of 191 yards, 64 on the ground and 127 through the air. Sullivan attempted 25 passes, completing 10. He had two intercepted and 13 fell incomplete.

Marlow rushed 14 tim