Wolves post 37-20 win over Smackover Buckaroos
SMACKOVER – Prescott’s Curley Wolves remain perfect in 5AAA play at 3-0 after a 37-20 win over Smackover Friday night.
It was a strange game. The two halves were basically different games. The first half had a lot of scoring with the Wolves putting up 20 in the first quarter alone and going into the half leading 23-14 as scoring basically stopped in the second period. The third frame was dominated by mistakes and penalties, with the offenses showing up again in the final 12 minutes.
Prescott won the toss and elected to receive to get the game underway. The opening kick was returned to the 37 by Derriun Thompson.
It took the Wolves 10 plays to score the first time, mostly because Prescott relied on its ground attack, but not at first. The first play saw Jacobi Nolen lose five yards and throw back-to-back incomplete passes. Facing a fourth and 15 Prescott lined up to punt. However, Jeffery Williams, the up back, took the snap and found Jacalyn Zachery for a first down at the Buckaroo 38. The next six plays were all runs, with Nolen scoring from the four. The point after made it 7-0 with 9:50 left in the first.
A squib kick was recovered by the Buckaroos at the Smackover 40. The hosts gained five on first down, but saw Tywan Thompson pick off a second own pass, returning it to the Wolf 37.
The Wolves went to a ground and pound mentality, taking 12 plays to go 63 yards, basically wearing Smackover’s defense out. The touchdown came on a one-yard plunge by Nolen. The Wolves chose to go for two, but were unsuccessful, leaving the score at 13-0.
A pooch kick was returned to the Buckaroo 45. Smackover only needed five plays to go 55 yards, with the score coming off a 13-yard run with 2:21 left in the opening frame. The PAT cut the lead to 13-7.
Smackover’s squib kick was returned to the 32.
The Wolves showed they, too, could score in a hurry, going 68-yards in four plays with Nolen breaking free on a 31-yard gallop to the end zone. The PAT made it 20-7.
Prescott tried an onside kick, but the ball was recovered by the Buckaroos at midfield. The final play of the period was a six-yard loss. The second quarter opened with Smackover fumbling, but recovering the loose pigskin at its 36. Two plays later Smackover punted to the Prescott 20.
The Wolves marched down the field, using four minutes and getting to the Buckaroo 22 before Nolen’s pass to Zachery was picked off in the end zone.
Smackover marched 80-yards in five plays, scoring on a 42-yard pass. The PAT made it 20-14 with 5:02 left in the half.
D. Thompson returned the kick to the 25, but it was three and out for the Wolves as the offense went flat. The punt rolled to the Smackover 14 with 2:30 showing.
The Buckaroos returned the favor, also going three and out, but penalties had the home team punting from its eight. The punt wasn’t very good, rolling dead at the Smackover 21.
Prescott got to the five before attempting a 23-yard field goal. Luis Rabadan split the uprights to make it 23-14 as the half came to an end.
The third 12 minutes was awful as neither team was able to do anything consistently on offence. Smackover got the ball to open the second half, returning the kick to the 27. The Buckaroos made it to the Prescott 45 before a bad snap resulted in a fumble with the Wolves recovering at midfield.
Prescott ran six plays, getting to the Smackover 29 before turning the ball over on downs instead of trying a 45-yard field goal.
It was three and out for the hosts with the punt returned to the Prescott 46.
However, penalties and a high snap saw the Wolves move backwards and being forced to punt. The boot made it to the Smackover 27.
Three plays and a sack later, the Buckaroos punted to the Prescott 49.
Prescott’s first down saw Nolen drop the ball as he was going back to pass, pick it up and scramble for three yards. However, the drive went nowhere and the Wolves punted to the Buckaroo 10 with 2:00 left in the frame.
Smackover used most of the remaining time getting to its 13.
The fourth quarter opened with Smackover punting yet again. Another bad punt (the ball literally went straight up) gave the Wolves incredible field position at the Buckaroo 22.
Three plays later Nolen went in from the three. The PAT made it 30-14.
Smackover returned the kick to the Prescott 45, scoring in two plays. The Buckaroos went for two to make it a two score game, but were unsuccessful.
Thompson fielded the kick at the 19, found a seam and raced 81-yards to the Promised Land for Prescott’s final score of the night. The PAT put the game out of reach at 37-20. This also ended scoring for the game.
Smackover went three and out on its next series, while Prescott, taking over with 8:33 left in the game, worked the clock, moving from its 18 to the Smackover 35 before penalties moved the ball back to the Wolf 47 and required the team to punt. The punt rolled dead at the Buckaroo 23.
The Buckaroos drove to the Prescott 22, mostly with the help of penalties and one long completion before eventually turning the ball over on downs.
Unable to stop the clock with less than two minutes to go, all Smackover could do is watch as Prescott kneeled and ran out the clock.
The Wolves improve to 4-2 overall and 3-0 in conference play. The Wolves will be on the road again next week as Prescott heads to Genoa Central for a date with the Dragons. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.