Prescott Runs Free On Greenland

Calvin Jones, Greenland running back, is brought down Friday by Prescott defender Mark Johnson in the first half of the state playoff game in Greenland.
Calvin Jones, Greenland running back, is brought down Friday by Prescott defender Mark Johnson in the first half of the state playoff game in Greenland.

— Greenland football coach Lee Larkan made no secret during Thanksgiving week he was concerned about Prescott’s speed.

After studying film, Larkan knew his players would have a tough time keeping up with the Curley Wolves in the quarterfinals of the Class 3A playoffs if their offensive weapons had room to run.

Gamebreaker

PRESCOTT 49, GREENLAND 14

Why The Curley Wolves Won

Prescott scored 27 points in the second quarter to turn a close game in the first quarter into a rout. The Curley Wolves extended their lead to 49-0 in the third quarter, capitalizing on Greenland’s turnovers and relying on their high-powered passing game.

Why The Pirates Lost

Greenland trailed only 7-0 after the first quarter, but it failed to score until the second half when Prescott led by 49 points and the mercy rule was already in effect. Quarterback Darian Froud and running back Calvin Giddens had difficult nights against Prescott’s fast defense.

But the tape didn’t do justice. Prescott (11-2) looked even faster running free on a cold Friday night at Jonathan Ramey Memorial Stadium.

Wide receiver Lavarious Martin scored three touchdowns in the second quarter as the Curley Wolves exploded for 34 points in the first half and didn’t slow down until the mercy rule went into effect in their 49-14 win over Greenland.

“We knew coming into the game that they had as many athletes as probably have ever been on this field,” Larkan said. “And when I saw them get off the bus, they were ready to play.”

Prescott’s high-powered offense got off to a fast start, needing only three plays to cover 61 yards and take a 7-0 lead on a 22-yard run by quarterback Trevon Rucker. But Greenland (8-4) bottled up the Curley Wolves after that — at least until the second quarter rolled around and Rucker got into a groove with Martin.

Rucker connected with Martin on touchdown passes of 15 and 27 yards in the second quarter, allowing Prescott to lead 34-0 at halftime and pull its starters in the second half after going ahead 49-0.

“It just took us a little bit to figure out what they were trying to take away from us,” Prescott coach Tommy Poole said. “When we found out what they were trying to take away, we tried to start capitalizing on what they were giving us.”

Greenland relied on its power running game and stingy defense to advance to the school’s first quarterfinal appearance. But neither of those worked against Prescott’s aggressive defense.

Greenland running back Calvin Giddens couldn’t find much running room while finishing with 15 carries for 25 yards. His longest run came when he raced 10 yards for a touchdown with 2 minutes, 10 seconds remaining in the third quarter, giving the Pirates their first points of the night.

Still, Prescott led by 42 points after the touchdown run.

The Pirates had a chance to build some momentum toward the end of the first quarter when they capitalized on a Rucker interception and moved the ball to the 3. But they failed to score on four straight plays, including a fourth down, and came away with no points.

Larkan admitted it was a missed opportunity that proved to be a turning point in the game.

“We may or may not have played any better later on, but when games hang in the balance right there and you score, you don’t know what happens,” Larkan said. “When they stopped us, it was tough.”

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