Wolves dump Bismarck, 42-13

PRESCOTT – It’s on to the semifinals for the Curley Wolves after Prescott ended Bismarck’s season Friday with a 42-13 win.

Because of the way the bracket’s set up, the Wolves will be at home for the third week of the playoffs hosting Masfield as the Tigers upended Salem, 26-22.

Prescott and Bismarck opened the grid season back in August, with the Wolves posting a 56-20 win. Friday night’s game had a lot of similarities to the first game as penalty flags were a constant in the first half. In fact, 14 penalties were accepted in the first two quarters, keeping both teams from getting their offenses going. Still, the Wolves found holes in the Lion defense and were able to score 14 points in the first and second periods.

The Wolves returned the opening kick to the Prescott 45. On the second play, Pierce Yates winged a screen to Jaylon Johnson who raced 55-yards for the score. The point after put Prescott up 7-0 with 11:00 to go and the Wolves never looked back.

Bismarck started at its 20 ran nine plays and missed a 27-yad field goal. The Lions hurt themselves with four penalties on the drive.

Prescott took over at its 20, ran four plays and punted after getting flagged threetimes. The penalties cost the Wolves 35 yards. The punt rolled to the Lion 20.

Decari Prater snatched a Lion pass, taking it to the house for Prescott’s second score of the game. The PAT made it 14-0 with 5:11 showing.

A pooch kick was returned to the Wolf 27. From there, though, the Lions went backwards. a fumble on first down was recovered by Bismarck at the 32. This was followed by two incomplete passes and a fumble on fourth down, recovered by the Wolves at the 36.

Prescott managed to cross into Lion territory on its next possession, but wound up punting with the ball rolling into the end zone.

It was three and out for the Lions with Prescott taking over at its 29. Four plays later, the first period came to an end with Prescott on the Lion’s 45. The drive stalled when Prescott was called for an illegal block and holding. The Wolves wound up turning it over on downs at the Lion 25.

Once again Bismarck could get nothing going and punted with Prater returning the ball to the 47 only to see it moved back as Prescott was called for another illegal block in the back.

Yates was picked off on the second play as the ball slipped through Dwayne White’s hands, landing in the hands of a Lion who raced in for six. The PAT narrowed the gap to 14-7 with 8:19 left in the half.

Starting at its 24, the Wolves ran 10 plays, scoring on a Yates to P.J. Gulley pass from 23-yards out. The PAT made it 21-7 with 3:19 to go.

Bismarck punted after three plays, with Prescott setting up on its 47. Four plays later, Prater went in on a 37-yard run with 1:11 remaining. The PAT made it 28-7.

The Lions did nothing on the team’s final possession of the half, and expected to receive the ball to start the third quarter.

Coach Brian Glass pulled a Sean Payton and opted for an onside kick to start the second half, with Johnson recovering the ball at the Lion 47. Three plays later, Ja’Noah Harris went in from the nine. The PAT made it 35-7 with 11:26 to go. At this point, it appeared the mercy rule could be in effect at some point.

The ensuing kick was returned to the 23. Bismarck’s offense showed brief signs of life until the Lions were hit with an intentional grounding call. Two plays later, Prater picked off a pass at the Prescott 24.

Bismarck didn’t make it easy, but Prescott managed to drive down the field in eight plays, scoring on a Yates to White pass from the 10. The extra point gave Prescott a 35-point cushion and the mercy rule was in effect with 6:05 left in the third.

The kick was returned to the 35, but the Lions wound up turning it over on downs at the Prescott 15 after completing a long pass on first down. Prescott started the downfield march only to see it end when Tiquan Box fumbled with Bismarck recovering at the Prescott 26.

One pass was all it took for Bismarck to score for the final time. A bad snap spoiled the extra point attempt, leaving the score 42-13.

The period ended with the kick being returned to the 24.

Prescott drove to the Lion 15 before the drive stalled on a false start call. The Wolves attempted a 31-yard field goal, which was blocked after a bad snap. At this point, Prescott started emptying the bench.

Bismarck went three and out, with Prescott taking over at its 37. The Wolf offense milked the clock, taking as much time as possible before snapping the ball.

Amazingly enough, Prescott will be home for the fourth consecutive week of the playoffs as the Wolves host the Manfield Tigers.