Wolves squish ‘Bugs, 17-0
PRESCOTT – For the first time this season, the Wolves played in the Friendly Confines of Cummins Stadium, posting a 17-0 win over Fordyce.
While it was a good defensive game, it was also an ugly game as mistakes wound up costing both teams. Fordyce spent most of the first quarter in Prescott territory, while the Wolves simply couldn’t get their offense going. Overall, there were 18 penalties, 10 for Fordyce and eight for Prescott, none coming at a good time for either squad.
The wet field led to problems with snaps and holding onto the ball. Both teams experienced bad snaps on punts, and the Redbugs put the ball on the ground several times. Both quarterbacks were intercepted once in the game.
Prescott got the ball to start the game, returning the kick to the 36. Three plays later the Wolves lined up for a punt and saw the snap bobbled. Jaylen Johnson got control of the ball and tried to run, but was dropped at the 28 where the ‘Bugs took over.
Back to back motion calls moved Fordyce to the 34. An incomplete pass on third down ended up seeing the ‘Bugs go for it on fourth down, only to fumble with Prescott recovering at its 29.
It didn’t matter as Prescott’s offense couldn’t find an opening in the Fordyce defensive front. On fourth down, the Wolves were in punt formation, but ran instead and saw Fordyce take over at the Prescott 30.
With both defenses playing lights out, there were only two first downs in the period. The ‘Bugs managed it on Fordyce’s third possession, which ended with another fumble lost. Prescott recovered at its 15.
Prescott managed its first first down of the game on its fourth possession late in the first quarter. The Wolves managed to move to the 20 before Pierce Yates connected with P.J. Gulley, who raced to the Fordyce 30. Ja’Noah Harris gained three to end the period. The second opened with Yates again connecting with Gulley to the nine, where the drive stalled. John Rabadan opened scoring with a 30-yard field goal with 10:18 left in the half.
That ended scoring though the ‘Bugs did drive from the Fordyce 23 to the Prescott 46 before punting the ball away.
The Wolves managed to get to the Fordyce 39 but saw the drive end when Yates was picked off at the 10 with 1:18 showing.
Fordyce could do nothing as the half ended.
As neither team had much of an aerial attack, defenses were able to stuff the line and make it tough on runners. The ‘Bugs started the third quarter on the Fordyce 32, ran 11 plays to the Prescott 30 and saw the drive end when Richard Benton picked off a pass and returned it to the 46.
The pick was wasted as the Wolves could get nothing going and punted to the Fordyce 12.
The ‘Bugs returned the favor three plays later, punting to the Fordyce 45.
It took the Wolves five plays to put the first touchdown in the books. It came on a run by Harris with 1:24 left. The point after made it 10-0.
Fordyce started at its 20 yard line, ran three plays and let the clock run out to end the third after gaining a yard. Period four opened with the ‘Bugs punting to the Prescott 49.
Prescott turned it over on downs four plays later at the ‘Bug 46. Fordyce went three and out. The ‘Bugs lined up to punt but saw the snap sail over the punter’s head. He was dropped at the five.
Two plays later Tiquan Box went in for the touchdown from a yard out. The PAT ended scoring at 17-0 with 7:58 left in the contest.
Fordyce started at its 45 but saw three passes fall harmlessly to the ground and turned it over on downs when the fourth pass was also incomplete.
Taking over at the Redbug 44, Prescott went backwards on its final offensive possession. First came a holding call. This was followed by a fumble out of bounds. Next Yates was sacked at the Prescott 39. Prescott punted to the Fordyce 43.
With 4:25 left in the contest, the ‘Bugs managed to get to the Prescott 30, but turned the ball over on downs.
As the clock ran down, Yates took a knee twice to end the game.
Prescott will be on the road next week as the Wolves travel to Hope to see an old foe – the Hope Bobcats. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.