Oliver honored prior to game

By Staff, 09/14/18 10:33 PM

PRESCOTT – Prescott Mayor Terry Oliver was honored prior to the start of Friday night’s Hope-Prescott football game.

Oliver has coached pee wee football for 40 years. He was presented a plaque from Prescott School District Superintendent Robert Poole, and a Denver Bronco’s jersey with the number 40.

This wasn’t the only recognition during the game. At the half, members of the class of ’76 gathered on the field for a balloon lift-off in memory of Mallorick Butler, a classmate who passed away.

Once the game began, though, Prescott dominated and ended up with a 46-13 win. Prescott is now 3-0 on the season, while Hope is 0-3.

The Bobcats won the toss and elected to receive, taking over at the Hope 28. Two plays netted a yard before the ‘Cats began going backwards with consecutive motion penalties. An incomplete pass on third down saw the ‘Cats line up for a punt. However, the visitors caught a break when Prescott was called for running into the kicker. The 15-yard penalty carried an automatic first down and kept the ‘Cats’ hope alive – briefly. Three plays after the penalty Hunter Hellums was picked off by Andrew Graves, who returned the ball to the Hope 21.

Two plays later, Derrium Thompson broke free for six. The point after made it 7-0 Prescott and the Wolves never looked back.

The kick was returned to the 24 where it was three and out for the ‘Cats.

The punt took a Prescott bounce and was downed at the Hope 34. It took the Wolves four plays to cover the distance, and ended with Alex George breaking free for a 21-yard score. The point after was no good, but the Wolves were up 13-0.

Hope returned the kick to the 36, gained nine yards on two plays and coughed the ball up at its 40 with Prescott recovering. There was 3:49 left in the opening period. Johnson went to the air, finding Jordan Glass for six with 3:40 showing. The PAT was good, giving Prescott a 20-0 lead.

The kick was returned to the 14. The ‘Cats drove to the Prescott 40 before Hellums was picked off by Thompson with 1:31 left.

Prescott took over at its 13 and drove to the 40 as time expired in the opening quarter. Three plays into the second period, the Wolves were back in the Promised Land as Thompson scored on a 22-yard run. The PAT made it 27-0 with 11:27 to go.

It was three and out for Hope on its next possession, with the Wolves taking over  at the Prescott 36. Prescott worked the clock and drove 64-yards in 11 plays. The drive included a fake punt on fourth down with the up man Jacobi Nolen taking the snap and winging a screen to Johnson, who kept the drive alive. The Wolves drove to the Hope five and appeared to stall until, on fourth down, Johnson found Keonte Franklin for a touchdown. The Wolves tried for a two-point conversion but were unsuccessful, leaving the score, 33-0.

The ‘Cats returned the kick to the 35 and mounted the team’s first scoring drive of the game. Hope needed 11 plays to cover 65-yards, with Hellums connecting with Nikorian Muldrew for the touchdown.. The point after was no good, but the score now was 33-6 with 32 seconds left in the half.

Prescott took the kick to open the third quarter with Franklin returning the boot to the 35. Prescott drove to the Hope 33 but ended up turning the ball over on downs.

Hope returned the favor in its first possession of the period, driving to the Prescott 36 before turning the ball over with 6:51 left in the frame.

The Wolves would score twice in the remaining time. The first scoring drive covered 64-yards in nine plays with George scoring on a two-yard plunge. The try for two was no good, leaving the score 39-6.

Starting at its 46, the ‘Cats wound up fumbling the ball back to the Wolves on the Hope 31 with 3:21 showing. The Wolves, though, were unable to move the ball and turned it over on downs at the 24 with 1:55 left.

Hope ran five plays, getting to the 36 before punting to the Wolf 43 with 1:02 on the clock.

Prescott wasted no time in scoring as Johnson went to the air, connecting with Glass for six. The PAT made it 46-6 with 53 seconds to go. However, the touchdown also invoked the mercy rule, which set the clock running for the rest of the game.

Jaloni Davis fielded the ensuing kick at the 21 in stride and raced 79-yards for Hope’s final score. The PAT made it 46-13.

Prescott returned the kick to its 40 and drove to the Hope seven as time expired.

Prescott will be on the road next Friday as the Wolves travel to Fouke for a date with the Panthers. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.

Hope will also be on the road as the ‘Cats head to DeQueen for a date with the Leopards. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.

This will be the opening conference game for both teams.