Wolves enjoy homecoming win, 52-7

By John Miller, 09/22/23 9:18 PM

PRESCOTT – Normally when Prescott and Gurdon meet on the gridiron it’s a tough game.

This wasn’t the case Friday night, which was homecoming for the Wolves, as Prescott posted a 52-7 win over the Go-Devils to go 4-1 on the season and 1-0 in 5AAA conference play.

From the outset there was no doubt the Wolves would win as the Devils offense couldn’t find a way to penetrate Prescott’s defense. In fact, the Devils didn’t manage a first down until late in the second quarter. On the other hand, the Wolves pretty much moved the ball with ease, scoring on every possession Prescott had in the first half, adding a safety and a two-point conversion.

All in all, the game was over in less than two hours.

Gurdon got the ball to start the game, bobbling the opening kick and starting at the Devil 17. Three plays later Gurdon punted to the Prescott 42.

The Wolves scored three plays later with Ja’Noah Harris breaking free on a 48-yard run. The point after made it 7-0 with 8:52 left in the first.

The Devils started at the 25 on the team’s second possession, but it was three and out again with the punt rolling to Prescott’s 29.

Once again, Prescott scored in three plays when Pierce Yates hit Decari Prater on a 47-yard strike. The PAT was a trick play, ending in a two-point conversion to make it 15-0 with 5:47 showing.

A bobbled kick was recovered by Gurdon at its 21. The Devils moved to the 27, but an unsportsmanlike penalty moved the ball to the 13. On fourth down, the snap sailed over the punter’s head and through the end zone for a safety giving Prescott two more points at 17-0.

Punting from the 20, Prescott’s Dwayne White fielded the kick at the Wolf 40 and returned it to the Gurdon 37. A late hit moved the ball to the 22. Yates found White for Prescott’s third touchdown of the quarter. The PAT made it 24-0 with 3:53 on the clock.

Gurdon got a decent return on the ensuing kick, starting at its 33. However, the wheels came off on second down as the Devils were hit with an intentional grounding call which saw the ball marked at the 30. Gurdon punted a play later with the ball rolling dead at the Wolf 39.

Harris gained nine on first down before Jaylen Johson got into the act, breaking loose for a 52-yard touchdown run with 1:13 remaining. The PAT put the Wolves up 31-0.

At this point the game was pretty much over. Gurdon’s offense had shown no signs of being able to move consistently against Prescott’s defense, and the Devil defense had no answer for Prescott’s offense.

Gurdon started at its 22 and ran two plays to end the first. The second quarter opened with Gurdon completing a pass, but losing four yards to the 17. Prescott didn’t bother putting anyone back to field the punt, which was downed at the Gurdon 40.

The Wolves had their longest drive of the game, four plays, scoring on a 23-yard pass from Yates to Johnson with 9:30 left in the half. The extra point made it 38-0.

It was three and out for the Devils, with Prescott taking over at its 46. This time, the Wolves needed seven plays to score, relying primarily on the ground game. However, Yates connected with Spencer Hubbard on a 21-yard touchdown pass. The PAT put the Wolves up 45-0 with 5:17 left in the half.

Prescott began substituting freely. Gurdon started at its 22 after the kick and began moving downfield. The Devils gained 16 on a first down pass, added 13 more on back-to-back runs before completing another 10-yard pass. However, the half arrived after Gurdon made it to the Prescott 35.

The second half went quickly as the mercy rule was in effect at the start of the third. Prescott put in its second-string offense and set up shop at the Wolf 34.

Nerves were obvious as the younger players went the wrong way, losing three yards on three plays. The snap on fourth down was bobbled, but recovered at the Prescott 11, giving Gurdon its best field position of the game.

This also proved to be the only time the Devils would score on the night, getting in the end zone on a four-yard run. The PAT cut Prescott’s lead to 45-7.

Starting at its 31, the Wolves subs were ready this time. It took Prescott eight plays to drive 69 yards with Addyx Williams  scoring on a nine-yard run. The PAT ended scoring at 52-7 with 55 seconds left in the third.

Prescott kicked to Gurdon to open the final 12 minutes, with the Devils starting at the 39 and getting to the Wolves 47 before turning the ball over on downs.

Prescott kept the ball for eight plays, but couldn’t get any further then Gurdon’s 41 before also turning it over on downs.

The Wolves will be on the road Friday night as Prescott heads to Junction City for the second conference game of the season. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.