‘Cats end Wolves’ season, 42-21
PRESCOTT – Harding Academy ended Prescott’s hopes for a state title, 42-21 Friday night.
The Wildcats entered the game undefeated, while Prescott had two early season losses, both coming in overtime.
At no time during Friday’s game did the Wolf offense really get in gear. Prescott scored on three big plays, including a 94-yard touchdown run by Jaylon Hopson to open the game. The point after made it 7-0 with 11:45 left in the first. Fans didn’t get the chance to do much more than sit down before the score occurred. This was a hopeful moment. However, it didn’t last.
The ‘Cats took over at the Hardin 36, ran three plays and punted to the Prescott 21.
Most of the first quarter saw the two squads swap punts with the ‘Cats having the advantage as the Harding punter had a cannon for a leg.
On Harding’s third possession, which started at midfield after Prescott’s second punt, the ‘Cats drove for the team’s first score to tie the game. The score came on an eight-yard pass with 1:49 showing. The PAT knotted the score at 7-7.
Prescott returned the kick to the 26, but went three and out with 35 seconds to go. The punt rolled dead at the ‘Cat 20.
Hardin gained 13 yards on the final play of the opening quarter, and completed the team’s second scoring drive four plays into the second period. The score came on a one-yard run with 10:42 on the clock. The PAT put the ‘Cats up 14-7.
The problem, though, was Prescott showed no signs of being able to move the ball offensively in the first quarter, running only nine offensive plays in the first 12 minutes.
The kick was returned to the 20 where the Wolves set up shop and managed to tie the game. Jacobi Nolen gained nine on first down, but was sacked on second down at the 25. Hopson found a seam, hit the sidelines and sprinted 75-yards for Prescott’s second touchdown of the night. The PAT made it 14-4 with 9:03 to go in the half.
The ensuing kick was returned to the 30, but a holding call moved it back to the 20, where it was three and out for the ‘Cats, with the punt being downed at the Prescott 49.
The good field position didn’t matter as Prescott went three and out, with the Wolf punt rolling to a stop at the ‘Cat 10.
Once again, it was three and out for Harding with the punt being downed at the Wolf 18.
However, the Wolves gave the ball back to the ‘Cats as Nolen was picked off at the Hardin 37.
Seven plays later, the ‘Cats took the lead for good with the score coming off a one-yard run. The extra point made it 21-14, and this was as close as the Wolves would get the rest of the game.
Harding attempted an onside kick, but saw the Wolves fall on it at the 48.
Hopson connected with Jacalyn Zachery to the ‘Cat 47, but a motion penalty moved the Wolves back to the Prescott 48. This was followed by a bad snap Nolen fumbled, but recovered, only to be dropped at the Wolves’ 45. A hail Mary on third was just off the fingertips of Jeffery Williams, and would have been a touchdown had he managed to bring it in. On fourth down, Nolen was stopped at the ‘Cat 49, giving Harding the ball on downs with one second left.
Harding completed a pass to the Prescott 30 to end the half.
The ‘Cats won the toss to start the game and deferred until the second half. The kick was returned to the 30 and, 12 plays later, the visitors were knocking on the door of another score. However, Derriun Thompson tipped a pass in the end zone, with Hopson picking it off and giving Prescott the ball at the Wolf seven.
It was three and out with the punt getting to the Prescott 49.
Harding scored its fourth touchdown seven plays later on a 12-yard pass. The PAT made it 28-14.
The ensuing kick was bobbled and Prescott started at its 15 with 1:19 left in the period.
The Wolves drove to the 27 as the quarter ended and started the final 12 minutes with a second and 10. Unfortunately, first down wasn’t in the offing and Prescott had to punt again. This time the ball was downed at the Harding 41.
A facemask and offside call helped the ‘Cats on the five play drive. The touchdown came on a nine-yard pass with 9:20 showing. The PAT made it 35-14.
The Wolves had plenty of fight, and caught a break with another big run by Hopson, who fielded the kick at the 18 and took it to the Wildcat 12. It took Prescott four plays to score, with Alex George going in from three yards out. The PAT cut the lead to 35-21.
This, though, proved to be the last offense the Wolves had left.
A pooch kick was recovered by the ‘Cats at the Harding 43. The ‘Cats drove 57-yards in eight plays, scoring on a four-yard pass with the receiver pulling it in with one hand. The PAT ended scoring at 42-21.
Harding kicked the ball out of bounds, bringing a flag for delay. The ‘Cats kicked from the 35 with the ball again going out of bounds, but the Wolves took the ball where it went out, at the Harding 48.
A double reverse lost four yards, putting the ball on the Prescott 48. The Wolves were hit with a personal foul call, moving the ball back to the Prescott 34. Nolen’s pass was picked off at the ‘Cat 48 and returned to the Wolf 47, but was moved another 15-yards closer when Prescott was flagged for another personal foul with 2:50 left.
Harding ran out the clock, ending Prescott’s season.