Turnovers down Wolves in title game

By Staff, 12/11/21 3:07 PM

LITTLE ROCK – Four turnovers were more than the Curley Wolves could overcome Saturday as Prescott fell to Harding Academy 47-25 in the title game of the AAA state playoffs.

All of the turnovers occurred in the second half, with the first three coming on Prescott’s first trio of possessions in the third quarter. All four were converted into touchdowns by the Wildcats. If the turnovers weren’t bad enough, the Wolves also lost the services of Caleb Harris and Omarion Dickens who went down with injuries in the first half.

Prescott ends  its season with a 14-1 record overall.

The first half was a defensive fan’s kind of game as neither offense could sustain drives, especially in the first quarter. The Wolves had three possessions in the first period, but couldn’t get anything going, running a total of 12 plays in the opening frame.

It wasn’t much better for Harding as the Wildcats ran 17 plays in two possessions, but managed to put three on the board with a 26-yard field goal with 7:10 showing.

As the first came to an end, the Wolves were driving for the team’s first touchdown, having set up at the 20 after a failed 59-yard field goal attempt by the ‘Cats. The Wolves were aided by a running into the kicker call and being successful on a fourth and one play. The period came to an end with the Wolves on their 35-yard line. Period two  opened with Jacaylon Zachery breaking free on a 65-yard scoring run. The point after was no good, but Prescott was up 6-3 with 11:47 left in the half.

It was three and out for the ‘Cats with Prescott setting up shop at its 31. Ten plays later Prescott punted as the drive ended after the Wolves were hit with two holding calls. The punt rolled into the end zone for a touchback.

Again, it was three and out for the ‘Cats, with Prescott taking over at the Wolf 38. It took seven plays for Prescott to travel 62 yards, with Carston Poole dropping a dime to Eric Grigsby with eight seconds left for the score. The PAT hit the crossbar leaving the score 12-3 at the break.

Harding got the ball to start the second half and drove 64 yards on 10 plays to cut the lead to 12-10 after a successful PAT.

Starting at its 20 after a touchback, the wheels came off for the Wolves as Poole was picked off  when his arm was hit as he attempted to pass. The ‘Cats took over at the Wolf 23.

Three plays later Harding took the lead on a 10-yard run to make it 16-12. The try for two was no good.

Another touchback put the Wolves on the 20. Prescott ran five plays, getting to the 37 before Poole fumbled with Harding recovering at the Prescott 45.

It took the ‘Cats five plays get to the 20, where the drive ended with a 36-yard field goal to make it 19-12 with 3:52 left. A seven-point deficit wasn’t an insurmountable lead.

However, Poole was picked off again at the Hardin 48.

The ‘Cats scored on the next play with the PAT putting them up 25-12.

The ensuing kick, the only one not going into the end zone, was fielded by Grigsby at the two and returned to the 23. Th Wolves ran eight plays, getting to Harding’s 22 as the period ended. Three plays into the final period, Poole hit Zachery with a 10-yard strike to make it 26-18 and keep it a one possession game. The try for two was no good.

Unfortunately, Prescott’s defense was worn out by this time, having been on the field most of the third quarter. Harding needed four plays to cover 62-yards and make it 33-18 with 9:32 left in the game.

Starting at the 20, Prescott began its second drive of the quarter, only to have it end with Poole was strip-sacked at the four with Harding recovering at the two.

One snap and it was 40-18 after the PAT with 9:06 showing.

Prescott turned the ball over on downs on its next possession at the Prescott 29. Harding needed four plays to score its final touchdown. The PAT made it 47-18 with 6:08 remaining.

Neither team did anything on their next possession.  Prescott got the ball for the final  time on its 20 after the Harding punt went into the end zone. Three plays later, Zachery broke free, found he sidelines and simply outran Harding’s defense on a 60-yard scamper. The PAT ended scoring with 1:37 to go at 47-25.

Harding took over at its 24 and ran out the clock.