Wolves end season as runner-up in state

LITTLE ROCK – A questionable call at the end of the game didn’t help Prescott as the Wolves fell 25-22 to Booneville in the AAA Championship game Saturday at War Memorial Stadium.

The call came with 1:13 left in the game when the referees initially called Booneville short on a fourth and one play that would have given Prescott the ball at its 32. However, as the Wolf offense headed onto the field, officials decided to measure. This resulted in the call being reversed and the ‘Cats getting a first down, which allowed Booneville to run out the clock.

This was the ninth meeting of these two teams with the Bearcats holding a 7-2 advantage over the Wolves. Prescott had a good crowd on hand for the game along with decent weather as there was no rain and temperatures in the 60s.

For a title game, it was also sloppy as 19 flags were thrown in the contest. Prescott was penalty free in the first half, but saw the wheels come of in the third quarter when the Wolves were hit with three consecutive penalties on the team’s second possession of the period and five times on the drive.

While the Bearcats dominated time of possession with a punishing ground attack, the Wolf defense showed it could hold its own most of the time.

The game started with Booneville winning the toss and deferring to the second half. Jaylen Johnson fielded the kick at the six and took it to the 20. A false start call on first down moved the ball back five. Prescott made it to the 29 and opted to go for it on fourth and one, falling short as Pierce Yates was dropped at the 27.

This gave the ‘Cats the ball in excellent field position. Booneville was called for a false start on second down, but scored on a 31-yard run with 9:11 to go. A bad snap on the extra point attempt left the score at 6-0.

The ensuing kick, aided by the wind, was a touchback putting the ball on the 20. Prescott drove to the ‘Cat 26 before Yates was picked off at the nine. Neither offense could get anything going on their next possession as the ‘Cats punted and Prescott turned it over on downs at the Booneville 28.

At this point, the ‘Cats mounted the team’s second scoring drive, covering 72-yards in 11 plays and scoring on a 13-yard run. The try for two was no good leaving the score 12-0 at the start of the second.

Prescott set up shop at its 30 going three and out. The punt made it to the ‘Cats 26. Booneville marched to the Prescott 40 before fumbling with Lavonte Gleason scooping up the loose pigskin and racing 51 yards for the score. The PAT made it 12-7.

Prescott attempted an onside kick but the ball didn’t go 10 yards. The ‘Cats started at the Prescott 41 and scored 13 plays later on a quarterback sneak with 1:16 left in the half. The PAT was no good, leaving the score 18-7.

From start to finish, Booneville was methodical in working the clock and running the ball from the flex-bone offense. While the ‘Cats did pick up big chunks of yardage at times, most of the runs were three and four yards.

Prescott was unable to score on its final possession of the first half, turning the ball over on downs at the ‘Cat 38.

Booneville started the second half at its 29, running three plays and punting to the Prescott 41.

Using an up-tempo offense, the Wolves covered the 59 yards in six plays, scoring when Decari Prater went in from the four. The Wolves opted for two, successfully, making it 18-15.

A pooch kick was returned to the Booneville 33, moved back to the 27 on a holding call on second down. The ‘Cats scored the team’s last touchdown on a 73-yard run. The PAT made it 25-15 with 6:43 left in the third.

This is where the wheels came off for the Wolves as Prescott was flagged five time on the drive and had to punt. The punt went to the ‘Cat 33. Booneville ran four plays to end the third and ended up turning it over on downs with 9:58 to go in the fourth at the Prescott 7.

Prater broke free for an apparent touchdown only to have it called back for a holding call. On top of that, the Wolves were hit with a sideline interference call moving the ball to the Prescott two. The Wolves ended up punting, getting help from the wind as the ball rolled to the Bearcat 35 with 7:59 remaining.

It was three and out for Booneville with the punt making it to the Prescott 39 with 5:37 showing. This was plenty of time as Prescott has the ability to score from anywhere on the field. The Wolves drove 61 yards in eight plays with JaNoah Harris scoring on a nine-yard run. The PAT made it 25-22.

An onside kick attempt was recovered at the Booneville 48 with 3:14 on the clock. The ‘Cats drove to the Prescott 32 and apparently turned the ball over on downs only to have the officials call for a measurement. Prescott Head Coach Brian Glass was livid as the call was reversed as the chains on the sideline showed the runner had to get to the 32-yard marker, which didn’t happen. Prescott had time outs left and the ‘Cats simply ran out the clock.