Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Go-Devils' Turnovers Are Costly

Homecoming was not a pleasant time for Gurdon's Go-Devils Friday night as they fell 16-0 to Prescott.

The loss, Gurdon's third straight, has the Devils in a precarious spot as far as post season play is concerned.

It is possible for Gurdon to venture into post season action, but the Devils must first beat the DeQueen Leopards Friday night at Leopard Stadium.

To do this, the team will have to eliminate the mental mistakes it made against the Curley Wolves at Gus Brown Field.

The Wolves took the opening kick, but could do little against Gurdon's defensive front as they were forced to punt.

The Devils began their first drive at their own 26, with Brian McGalliard taking to the air on first down. This loosened up the Prescott defense, allowing D.D. Sheppard to gain seven yards on second down. However, McGalliard went to the air and found a maroon jersey instead of a gold one on third down.

The interception by John Cornelius was brought back to Gurdon's 26, but a clip moved the Wolves back to the 48.

This gave Prescott all the momentum it needed, along with the opportunity for the only score it would need for the win.

Montra Montgomery carried to the 44 on first down. A personal foul against Gurdon on second down moved the ball to the Devil 27. Soph sensation Al Johnston carried six to the 21, as the Wolves howled.

Four more plays got Prescott inside Gurdon's 10 when signalcaller Barrett Yates called for a time out with 5:08 left in the period.

After the break, Yates handed to Cedric Flemons, who covered the remaining eight yards for the score. The point after gave Prescott a 7-0 lead.

The Go-Devils began their second drive from the 20 after the kickoff rolled into the end zone.

The march was marred by a bobbled transfer from center Phillip Porcelli to McGalliard, but didn't result in a turnover. It did, however, force Gurdon to punt.

Fortunately for the Devils, the boot went higher than it did far. Johnston was unable to field the ball cleanly, and Gurdon's Eric Hatley fell on it at the Prescott 36.

Three plays later, the Devils were at the Wolves' 39, as the first period came to an end.

Knowing a win was essential, Gurdon's head coach John Pace told his team to go for it on fourth down.

McGalliard's pass was complete to Travonn Crow, who carried the mail to the 17, giving Gurdon a first down.

It appeared as though the Devils would score as they marched to the four, but fell apart offensively. With a first and goal at the four, Sheppard was dropped at the six. McGalliard had no gain on second down and Wes Buford lost five on third down.

The Devils lined up for a field goal attempt on fourth down, but an errant snap ended the scoring threat. Prescott took over on its own 29.

It was three and out for the Wolves, as the offensive unit was unable to move the ball 10 yards.

The boot went to Steve Anderson at Gurdon's 26. But the Devils were unable to mount a drive either and were forced to punt the ball back.

Rashad Johnson, standing at his 45, dropped the ball, but managed to recover it at the 35.

This time, the Wolves' offense was geared up and ready to move the remaining 65 yards for its second score.

It took Prescott slightly more than three minutes to put its second touchdown on the board. The drive required eight plays, with Yates handing to Courtney Bryant, who rambled 32 yards on fourth down for the score.

Johnson, on the first play of the drive, though, burst through the line to the Gurdon 35, where Anderson made a touchdown saving tackle, which proved to be temporary.

This time, however, the extra point attempt sailed wide right, but the visitors led 13-0.

The Devils ran three plays before McGalliard was intercepted deep in Prescott territory.

In an interesting twist of fate, Yates was picked off by Buford on the next play.

However, the interception by Buford ended the half with the Wolves leading 13-0.

The Devils took the kick to open the third quarter, with Mario Charles giving Gurdon the ball at the 25.

Sheppard carried to the 30 on first down, but uncharacteristically fumbled on the next play.

Prescott recovered at the Devil 34, but was unable to venture forward on three plays.

A mental miscue by Anderson occurred on the punt. He fielded the ball at his own five instead of allowing it to go into the end zone.

Instead of the Devils having the pigskin at their 20, they were trapped back at their nine.

Showing plenty of fire, Gurdon's offense slowly marched to its 36, giving the team some breathing room. The key play was a McGalliard to Chris Brown pass for 17 yards.

Unfortunately, Sheppard, on the next play, coughed up the ball for the second time, killing his team's drive.

The fumble was recovered by Larry Henderson, who carried the ball to Gurdon's 22 before being brought down.

The Wolves were hit with consecutive penalties for illegal motion, giving them a first and 20 to overcome.

This appeared to be to Bryant's liking as he bulled his way to the Devil 14 on the next play. Prescott managed to get to Gurdon's seven before the Devil defense stiffened and forced the Wolves back to the 11.

Flemons lined up for the field goal attempt. His kick split the uprights, but was called back because of a procedure penalty against the Wolves. His second attempt, from the 16, was also true, giving Prescott a 16-0 lead.

The remainder of the game saw both teams struggle between the 20s, as neither was able to mount an effective drive.

Gurdon did move the ball to Prescott's 48 before McGalliard was intercepted for the third time of the night.

The loss puts the Devils record at 5-4 overall and 2-3 in league action.

In order for Gurdon to continue playing after Friday night, the Devils must first handle the Leopards.

Additionally, they must count on a win by the Wolves against Fordyce and a Stamps victory against Nashville.

Unofficial statistics show the Prescott game to be the worst of the season for Gurdon's offense.

The Devils were guilty of five turnovers, three interceptions and two fumbles.

Gurdon was flagged three times for 25 yards, while the Wolves saw laundry fall nine times for 70 yards in penalties.

The Devils made 11 first downs to Prescott's 9, with two of these first downs coming on penalties against the Wolves.

Sheppard carried 16 times for 50 yards. However, negative yardage from the rest of the team brought Gurdon's rushing yards down to 20.

McGalliard tried to make up the difference through the air, as he completed seven of 18 with three interceptions. He had 80 passing yards on the evening.

Prescott's Bryant managed 86 yards on the gr