Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Nashville Scores Five Touchdowns

Nashville scored five touchdowns Friday night against Prescott to remain unbeaten, handing the Wolves a 32-21 loss, the first in 17 games.

It was a struggle for both teams the first quarter, but Prescott was in control as the period came to an end. Four plays into the second quarter Tracy Stafford struck from 18 yards out. The point after try (PAT) by Rashad Johnson was good and Prescott had a 7-0 lead.

Thus, the Curley Wolves were successful in driving 72 yards against the number one team in the state and scoring first. Plays along the way were well executed by quarterback Al Johnston, but this would not be the case throughout the game.

Prescott's defense played a big part in the first period, sacking Jared McBride, recognized as the best quarterback in the state, twice. Prescott's defense, also, could not continue this throughout the game.

Perhaps the Wolves could have scored in the first period. A penalty at the Nashville 41 moved them back five yards and the Wolves had to punt on fourth and four.

Penalties against Prescott were not a factor, but other mistakes were. A good team causes mistakes to happen, and you could certainly say the Scrappers helped Prescott make them -- then took advantage of them.

Now, if the Wolves' defense stopped the Scrappers in the first quarter, and Prescott was successful in executing a long drive, that should have put a damper on the spirits of the Scrappers. Wrong.

After the score the Wolves kicked off with Greg Washington taking the ball around the 15, and then returned it 30 yards to his 45.

Three passes and McBride had three first downs with the Scrappers knocking on the Wolves door at the Prescott 8. Another pass and he had the ball on the two, where Cleotus Hughes took it in for a touchdown. A bad snap prevented the extra point, so Prescott led 7-6.

This time the Nashville defense did not permit a first down by Prescott. After Rashad Johnson punted, McBride and company began the next scoring drive from their 16.

Many of McBride's passes were short and sweet, many of them screen passes, or out in the flats. Just such a routine scored for Nashville again.

Alternating passes with runs, the Scrappers got to the Prescott 49, when McBride passed to the sidelines to Mark McGill, who then connected with Washington, who was untouched as he went in for the TD. The two-point conversion try failed, but Nashville led 12-7 with 3:10 left in the half.

Although this was the last score of the half some events did happen that possibly prevented another Prescott TD.

The Wolves were down on the Nashville 44 when Johnston was sacked for an 11-yard loss. Then, in shotgun formation, the snap went over his head, but the Wolves retained possession. After that a fumble and recovery by Sam Marlow saved the Wolves again. However, because of this the Wolves had to punt on fourth down.

Things didn't change in the second half. In the third quarter, a fumble on the handoff was recovered by Nashville on the Prescott 30. McBride connected with John Martin for a TD after only three offensive plays. The two-point conversion attempt was missed, but Nashville now led 18-7.

Prescott, however, was able to score on its next possession. Johnson took the Nashville kick-off around the 12 and returned it to the 39, putting the Wolves in a good position.

But it looked like the Wolves were jinxed. Johnston missed with a three passes, then Johnson punted. The Nashville player fumbled the kick with it rolling in Prescott's favor. Shane Butler for Prescott recovered the fumble at the Nashville 17.

Johnston picked up one yard on the option, then Marlow got the first down at the Nashville 3.

He again got the call, but only managed on yard among the Scrappers' defense. Carlos Vanhook took it in for the TD from the two. Coach Eddie Jackson had his players going for a two-point conversion so there would only be a field goal (three points) separating the two teams. The attempt, however, missed and the score remained 18-13 in favor of Nashville.

Thanks to the efforts of Prescott's defense, Nashville was denied a TD on the Scrappers' next drive.

They drove to the Prescott 24 before Cedric Flemons sacked McBride for a nine-yard loss. Two more pass plays were nearly picked off by Johnson as McBride was trying to score for the Scrappers. The Wolves took over on their 35.

The two teams exchanged punts on their next possessions. On Nashville's punt just before the fourth quarter, a Scrapper prevent a Curley Wolf from catching the kick. The Scrappers were penalized 15 yards with Prescott getting the ball on their 44, again within striking distance.

Rushing plays by Marlow, Vanhook and Stafford combined with a pass to Flemons moved the ball to the Nashville 32. Then disaster struck.

Johnston was sacked for a six-yard loss. On third and 16 Johnston went back to pass again with a blitz coming from the Scrappers. The ball was knocked loose and Hershel Taylor gathered it in for a long run and a TD. The PAT was good and the Scrappers led, 25-13.

Once more Johnson had a good return on the kick with Prescott getting the ball on the Nashville 47. However, the Wolves were stopped again.

The Wolves managed to get to the Nashville 36. Johnston recovered his own fumble for a loss of five yards. The Scrappers were looking for the pass and kept Johnston from completing three of them in a row with Nashville getting the ball back on downs.

Starting on their 41, a long run by Hughes moved the ball to the Prescott 46. Robert Witherspoon then picked up another first down at the Prescott 32.

Three plays moved the ball to the Prescott 23, where Witherspoon went around for the Scrappers fifth TD. The PAT was good and Nashville led, 32-13.

However, the Curley Wolves are not quitters.

Ben Jones took the Nashville kick-off at his 14 and returned it to the 33 for the Wolves.

Johnston hit Flemons with a pass on the sidelines that gained nine yards. On the next play he connected with Marlow that gained 22 yards and a first down at the Nashville 36.

Being behind, the Scrappers knew Prescott would be going to the pass to catch up. Three times Johnston attempted passes, all missing the mark. On fourth and 10 he tried again and connected with Flemons for 18 yards and a first down at the 18.

Three more tries and three more incomplet passes. Once more on fourth down the pass is necessary. A time-out was called and Coach Jackson discussed his options with the players. In the shotgun formation, Johnston went back to pass, but ran the ball himself when he couldn't find anyone open. He picked up the first down at the Nashville 6.

On the next play he optioned to run up the middle and gained three yards. Johnston then attempted a pa