Wolves clip Pelicans, 31-14

PRESCOTT – It was a tale of two games, but Prescott came out with a 31-14 win over Homer, LA, Friday night.

The first game, or rather, first half, was dominated by the two defenses unwilling to yield and forcing two turnovers each. The second game, was one of penalties as 17 flags were thrown in the second half alone, most for major infractions. There were several unsportsmanlike calls against both teams. In the end, though, the Wolves managed to go to 7-1 on the season and 2-0 in 5AAA play.

Prescott has two games left in regular season competition, next week against Smackover there, followed by a week off and ending the season at home against the Horatio Lions. Barring something major happening, the Wolves should win both of those games heading into post-season action.

The Wolves won the opening toss and elected to receive. Tiquan Box returned the kick from the 20 to the 39. Pierce Yates winged a screen to Ja’Noah Harris who broke a tackle and sprinted down the sideline for six on the first play of the game. The point after put the Wolves up 7-0 with 11:41 showing.

From there, penalties and stout defenses prevented either team from doing much, with both Homer turning the ball over on downs at its 44 and Prescott going the wrong way before punting to the Pelican 24.

It was three and out for the visitors, who caught a break when Yates was picked off with the ball returned to the Prescott 20. One play later Homer scored on a 20-yard pass. The two-point conversion made it 8-7 for Homer’s only lead of the game.

Prescott started at its 23, got to the 35 and punted, with the ball rolling dead at the Homer 14.

At this point, neither team could generate a sustained drive, though the Wolves did manage to get close enough for John Rabadan to kick a field goal to put Prescott up 10-8, where the score remained until halftime.

Homer received the kick to start the third period, picking up a squib kick at the five, returning it to the Prescott 39. The drive went backwards as the Pelicans were first hit with an illegal motion penalty, followed by a personal foul, which moved the team to its 44. A short punt on fourth down was downed at the Prescott 31 with 10:17 left in the third.

Prescott used more than four minutes to drive 69 yards in 11 plays, scoring on an 11-yard pass from Yates to P.J. Gulley. The PAT made it 17-8 with 6:08 to go, and Prescott nailed with an unsportsmanlike conduct call moving the ball to the Wolf 25 for the kick.

The squib was recovered at the Homer 28. The Pelicans drove to the Wolves 26 before turning it over on downs.

Yates hit Gulley on the next play for six as Gulley raced 74-yards for the score. The PAT made it 24-8 with 1:33 left in the third.

Rabadan’s squib kick was returned to the Home 28. The Pelicans drove to the 45 as time expired, with the Wolves again being flagged for unsportsmanlike conduct. The final 12 minutes began with Homer on Prescott’s 35. Three plays later, K.J. Page picked off a pass, returning it to the Home 46.

The Wolves needed seven plays to cover the distance, with Yates connecting with Decari Prater on a 27-yard pass. The PAT ended scoring for Prescott, making it 31-8. Prescott was again penalized for unsportsmanlike conduct with 7:47 left in the game.

Homer returned the kick to its 43 and drove 57 yards in 10 plays scoring on a 45-yard pass when Prescott’s secondary went to sleep and left a receiver wide open. The try for two was no good, leaving the score 31-14 with 3:36 on the clock.

Prescott recovered the onside kick attempt. The Wolves ran three plays, got flagged for holding and ran out the clock.

Friday night, the Wolves head to Smackover for a date with the Buckaroos. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.