Wolves advance to semis with 49-19 win over Mustangs

PRESCOTT – Friday night’s game was over shortly after it began as the Wolves demolished Hoxie 49-19 to advance to the semifinal game of the AAA state playoffs next week.

This moves the Wolves to 11-2 on the season. Hoxie came in to the game with a 10-2 record, finishing third behind Osceola and Newport. Prescott will host Harding Academy game Friday night, as the Wildcats dropped the Owls, 49-28. In other quarterfinal action, Camden Harmony Grove sent Rison packing, 30-16, and Osceola dumped Melbourne, 40-22.

This was a win as much for the coaches as anyone after last week’s game against Pine Bluff Dollarway that saw Prescott escape with a 23-22 win. The coaches lit a fire under the squad, letting them know it’s one-and-done as far as football season is concerned and will be until next week’s over. Whatever the coaches said, the players paid attention and gave the Mustangs no chance.

Hoxie came out one-dimensional, not challenging Prescott’s defense in the least, at least until the game was well in hand as the Wolves subbed mostly freshmen into the game. The Mustangs rarely went to the air and weren’t successful when they did. Hoxie didn’t get its initial first down of the game until the middle of the second quarter.

The Mustangs won the toss and took the ball to get the game started. The kick was returned to the 37. It was three and out for the visitors, who saw the snap bounce to the punter. The punter attempted to kick the ball, but mishit the ball, which rolled to the 35 and was picked up by Alex George, who took it back for six with 10:11 showing. The point after made it 7-0 Prescott.

Hoxie started its second drive at its 32, but again went nowhere. The second punt, though, rolled dead at the Prescott 43.

The Wolves relied heavily on the ground game, disdaining the pass on the team’s first offensive drive. It took 10 plays for Prescott to go 57 yards, but Jacobi Nolen capped the drive with an 11-yard run. The PAT increased the lead to 14-0.

The ensuing kick dribbled into the end zone for a touchback.

Once again, it was three and out for the Mustangs.

Prescott drove to the Hoxie four in seven plays, but the Wolves were stopped and turned the ball over on downs with 1:15 left in the first.

Hoxie ended the first period with a gain of three to the seven on first and being stuffed on second down. The second quarter opened with the Mustangs gaining two and punting to the Hoxie 48.

Again, it took the Wolves 10 plays to cover the distance. The score game on a nine-yard run by Derriun Thompson with 8:06 showing. The PAT made it 21-0.

Starting at the 20 after the kick again went into the end zone, the Mustangs managed to overcome a holding penalty and get the team’s initial first down. It didn’t matter as Hoxie punted three plays later with Prescott taking over at its 39.

Prescott went to the air on this drive. Nolen nit Jaylon Hopson at the 47. Nolen gained three on second down to gives the Wolves a first down and keep the drive going. He missed Thompson with a first down pass, but hit Jeffery Williams for an easy score. The PAT put the Wolves up 28-0 with 5:02 left in the half.

Again, the Mustangs started on the Hoxie 20 and began the team’s first scoring drive of the night. It took four plays for Hoxie to get a first down at the 31. Prescott’s defense was shredded on the next play, which went to the Wolf 9. Hoxie scored on the next snap. The PAT was no good, but the Mustangs were on the board at 28-6.

This didn’t set well with the Wolves. Prescott recovered the pooch kick at its 42 and ran the ball down Hoxie’s throat, scoring in six plays. Nolen capped the drive with a three yard run. The PAT made it 35-6 with 1:03 on the clock.

Hoxie took over at its 38 and made it to the Prescott 48 before time ran out.

The Wolves got the ball to start the second half, recovering an onside attempt at the Prescott 43.

Nolen hit Thompson with a middle screen. Thompson battled through the first wave of defenders, found an opening and bolted for the end zone. The PAT put the Wolves up 42-6 and invoked the mercy rule.

Once Prescott kicked off, the clock ran. Prescott’s kickoff team had a mental lapse when the ball was bobbled as it was picked up and returned to the Wolf 20.

Hoxie drove to the Wolf seven before fumbling the ball away. The Wolves recovered at the two.

Hopson moved the ball to the 26 on two carries before Nolen found Williams wide open. Nolen would have scored had he not stumbled. The end result was him being brought down at the Mustang 11.Two plays later Hopson scored. The PAT ended Prescott’s scoring for the night as the Wolves led 49-6.

Prescott began to substitute heavily, which allowed Hoxie to score two meaningless touchdowns.

Hoxie returned the kick to its 28 and scored in six plays against a defense made up primarily of freshmen players. The PAT made it 49-13 as the third ended.

Prescott covered a pooch kick at its 41, but punted three plays later with Hoxie getting the ball at the Mustang 23 with 7:52 remaining.

The Mustangs managed to score quickly, covering 77 yards in four plays with the touchdown coming on a 46-yard run. The extra point ended scoring at 49-19.

The Wolves recovered the onside kick attempt and ran out the clock.

Prescott will be at home for the fourth week in a row for the post-season as the Wolves host the Harding Academy Wildcats. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.