Wolves pitch 27-0 shutout against Smackover

By John Miller, 10/20/23 9:32 PM

SMACKOVER – Prescott pitched a 27-0 shutout against the Smackover Buckaroos Friday night in what could only be called an ugly game.

Prescott is now 9-1 on the season and 3-0 in 5AAA conference play. The win gives the Wolves the conference title and at least one home game in the playoffs. Prescott will have a bye next week, returning to action against Horatio at Cummings Stadium on Thursday, Nov. 2. This will be senior night for the Wolves.

At first, it looked as though the Wolves would rout Smackover as Dacari Prater took the opening kick at the 31 and raced 69 yards for a touchdown. The extra point made it 7-0 with 11:47 to go in the first.

Prescott recovered an onside kick at the Buckaroo 43 and looked to be heading for a second score. However, a low snap caused Pierce Yates to rush his pass, which was picked off at the 16.

From there on, it was laundry night as the officials threw a total of 20 flags in the game. Smackover worked the clock, taking all the time allowed to keep Prescott’s offense off the field. This didn’t work in the host’s favor. Smackover punted on its first possession with the kick rolling to the Wolf 28.

Yates connected with P.J. Gulley on a 72-yard touchdown strike to make it 13-0 as the point after was blocked. That ended scoring until the final period.

Smackover started at its 37 and, with the help of a personal foul, made it to the Wolves 34 as the first quarter came to an end. Facing a fourth and 13, the Buckaroos were hit with a false start call before completing a pass only to see the receiver fumble with Prescott recovering at its 16.

The Wolves mounted a 10-play drive on Prescott’s next possession, that saw five penalties called. One holding call negated a  49-yard touchdown run by Ja’Noah Harris. The drive ended with Smackover taking over on downs at its 10.

With 3:30 showing, Smackover drove to the Prescott 22 before turning it over on downs when the quarterback was sacked on fourth down.

The Buckaroos got the ball to start the second half, fielding a squib kick and returning it to the 29. It didn’t matter as Smackover turned it over on downs seven plays later at the Prescott 30.

The Wolves couldn’t get out of their own way, getting flagged twice at the start of the next drive, for holding and false start, moving the ball to the Wolf 16. Prescott made it to the Smackaroo 24 before another holding call moved the ball backwards. Eventually, Yates was sacked on fourth down, giving Smackover the ball at its 30.

With time running out in the third, Smackover went three and out, punting to Prescott’s 48. Yates hit Gulley for a gain of 10 as the third came to an end. Six plays later, Yates, on a broken play, went in from the 15. The PAT made it 20-0 with 9:57 left in the game.

Smackover, though, never left its game plan and continued running the ball. While the Buckaroos were able to run consistently against Prescott’s defense, penalties killed most of the team’s drives. Smackover’s receiver fielded the squib kick at the 14 and took a knee for some reason. Three plays later, the Buckaroos had their backs against the goal line and had to punt. The kick made it to midfield where Prescott took over.

It took  Prescott four plays to score, with Tiquan Box breaking free on a 35-yard run. The PAT made it 27-0.

In its final possession, Smackover started at its 38 after Prescott’s bench was penalized for unsportsmanlike conduct. Holding and personal foul calls moved the ball back to the Buck’s 40. The drive ended with Smackover turning it over on downs with 1:52 left.

Prescott ran one play, getting to the Smackover 39 and went into victory formation to seal the win.

Prescott will have a by week next week and return to action on Thursday, Nov. 2 when the Wolves host the Horatio Lions for Senior Night.