Wolves escape ‘Bugs, 7-6

PRESCOTT – Round two of the AAA playoffs saw a defensive struggle between Prescott and Fordyce Friday night, with the Wolves eking out a 7-6 win.

Both teams played solid defense from start to finish, but penalties marred the game as well as 17 flags were thrown in the game. The penalties hurt both teams, basically killing drives. The Wolves punted more in this game than the team has all season, possibly. Neither squad could get its aerial attack going as both quarterbacks were harassed whenever they dropped back to pass. Pierce Yates was sacked once while the Redbug quarterback was sacked six times. However, both wound up running for their lives on any passing attempt.

Fordyce primarily used its ground and pound offense all night and forced the Wolves to abandon its passing game and keep it on the ground. This made for a quick game as the contest lasted less than two-and-a-half hours from start to finish, halftime festivities included.

The first quarter saw both Prescott and Fordyce swap punts on every offensive possession as the defense or penalties kept either from moving the ball. The first 12 minutes ended with the game knotted at 0-0, something unusual for Prescott.

A bad snap on a punt attempt by the ‘Bugs at the start of the second quarter put the Wolves at the Fordyce 16. It took Prescott five plays to score, with Yates going in from the two. John Rabadan’s extra point made it 7-0 with 7:11 left in the half. The rest of the period saw the teams swap punts.

Fordyce got the ball to start the second half and drove from the ‘Bug 42 to the Prescott 16 before turning it over on downs.

The first play of the third quarter for Prescott saw Ja’Noah Harris break free and race 84 yards for an apparent touchdown. Unfortunately, a holding call against the Wolves nullified the score. The drive ended with Prescott punting to the Fordyce 21, not that it mattered as the ‘Bugs couldn’t move the ball either.

Neither team could score in the third, which saw six penalties called in the first possession by each team.

The final 12 minutes opened with Fordyce facing a third and one at its 25 and driving to the ‘Bug 43 before having to punt after a personal foul call moved the ball back to the 28. The punt rolled to the 49.

Prescott drove to the Fordyce nine before the Redbug defense stiffened and pushed the Wolves backwards. Rabadan attempted a 28-yard field goal only to see the ball doink off the upright.

The teams went three and out on their next drives, with Fordyce returning Prescott’s punt to its 47 with 2:27 left in the game. Here, the ‘Bugs mounted the team’s only successful drive of the night, covering 53 yards in six plays.

Fordyce had to give up on its running game as time was running out. The first completion moved the ball to Prescott’s 36. This was followed by a sack back to the 48. The Wolves, though, were hit with a late hit call on the next play, putting the ball on the 33 and giving Fordyce a fresh set of downs with 1:21 remaining. The next pass was almost picked off and was followed by a 33-yard touchdown strike with 1:07 left on the clock.

Fordyce called time out, though everyone in the stadium knew the ‘Bugs would be trying for a two-point conversion. Prescott didn’t help itself as the Wolves were called for offside and the ball was moved to the yard-and-a-half line. Twenty-two bodies clashed at the snap, which saw the Redbug runner held short, leaving the score 7-6.

An onside kick attempt was recovered by Prescott at its 42. The Wolves went to the victory formation, taking a knee to end the game.

Next, the Wolves advance to the third round of the playoffs and will play the winner of the Charleston-Bismarck game. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. This will be Prescott’s last home game of the playoffs as the semifinal game will see the Wolves on the road.