Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Gurdon falls, 24-7, in first round of state playoffs

Gurdon's venture into the state playoffs was short-lived, as the Devils fell 24-7 to Hampton in the first round.

The game was closer than the final score would indicate, as the Devils gave as good as they got. The major differences were Hampton got the breaks with big plays where Gurdon was unable to convert when necessary.

Coach John Pace went into the game with a unique plan, as the Devils opened with a gamble  an onside kick attempt.

Hampton had won the toss and elected to receive. Eddie Fort's kick, though, failed to travel the required 10 yards and went out of bounds on the Gurdon 47.

The Bulldogs ran three plays and led 6-0 before the fans could get settled in their seats on either side of the field.

The Dogs began with Clarence Sumler gaining four, followed by Darrell Smith adding six to the Gurdon 47, before Sumler found a gap and scored.

Hampton tried for a two-point conversion, but fumbled the ball, with Gurdon recovering. Still, with 11:03 showing on the clock, the Dogs were up 6-0.

K.P. Meeks took the ensuing kick at the nine, returning it to the 25 for Gurdon.

However, the Devils were unable to generate a first down and had to punt. Gurdon's drive began well, though, with Cevin Laster gaining four, before Jake Plyler was sacked for a 10-yard loss.

James Moseley's punt rolled dead at the Gurdon 48, with 8:58 left in the first quarter.

Hampton was nailed with an illegal motion call before the Dogs got their second scoring drive underway and began from their own 46.

Smith was the workhorse on the drive, carrying the ball six times in the eight-play drive. E.J. Walter capped the drive by going in from the two, with 5:58 left.

Again, the Dogs tried for two, and again, they were unsuccessful. Still, Hampton led 12-0.

Hampton borrowed a page from Gurdon's play book and attempted an onside kick. Their luck was the same as Gurdon's, with the ball going out of bounds on the Dog 47.

Fort lost two to get things started, but Marcell Johnson gained nine to keep things going for Gurdon.

Meeks fought his way to the 36 for a four-yard gain, before Johnson battled to the 30. Meeks found a gap in the defense and scrambled to the 15 before being brought down.

Fort lost four to the 19, but Hampton was called for grabbing a facemask on the next play, moving the ball to the nine. Meeks carried twice to score Gurdon's only touchdown of the game.

The point after made it 12-7 with 1:59 left in the opening period.

Smith took the kick at the 12, returning it to the 38 for Hampton.

The Dogs ran three plays to end the first quarter, and were poised at the Gurdon 39.

Three plays into the second quarter, Hampton's Brad Hannagen fumbled the ball, with Plyler recovering and returning it to the 40.

Johnson lost a yard on first down, with Plyler keeping for a nine-yard gain on the next play.

Gurdon called time with 9:04 left in the half, but was unable to move the ball when play resumed.

On third and long, Plyler's pass fell incomplete, but a flag fluttered to the turf with the ball. The drive continued as Hampton was called for interference, with the ball moved 15 yards forward to the Bulldog 44.

This gave Gurdon new life, but the Devils were unable to earn a first down, turning the ball over on downs four plays later at the Hampton 35.

The Dogs wishbone attack moved the ball to the Gurdon 21, before Hampton fumbled with 43 seconds left in the half.

Gurdon took over at its own 19, ran two plays getting to the 23 as the buzzer sounded ending the first half of play with the score 12-7.

Neither team was able to score in the third quarter, as drives stalled because of solid defensive efforts on both sides of the ball.

Hampton's only pass of the game was picked off by Laster at the Dog 37.

Gurdon, though, was unable to capitalize on the mistake and turned the ball over on downs nine plays later at the Hampton eight.

This proved to be a turning point in the contest, as the Devils appeared to be on the verge of driving in and taking the lead.

Plyler's fourth-down pass to Kelvin McPeak was tipped away, ending the threat.

Gurdon's offense only had possession one more time in the game.

The Dogs took over with 3:09 left in the third and moved the ball to midfield as time ran out.

The final quarter opened with Gurdon hit with an offside call. The Dogs bone continued to ground out yardage, as Hampton moved to the 20 before fumbling. However, E.J. Walter fell on the loose pigskin to keep possession in Hampton's hands.

Two plays later Smith scored from 19-yards out to make it 18-7 with 8:49 left in the game.

Hampton's try for two resulted in another Bulldog fumble and no points.

The kickoff was short, being recovered at the Gurdon 33.

The Devils ran three plays and punted after gaining a scant four yards. It was the last time Gurdon would touch the ball.

Hampton took over on the Bulldog 37 with 7:13 to go.

The Dogs fought to midfield before fumbling again, and recovering at the Hampton 45. Smith found a hole in the middle of the line and sprinted 55 yards for the final touchdown of the night.

The score was 24-7 with 4:37 left in the contest, as the two-point conversion again was no good.

Hampton was successful in an onside kick attempt, recovering the ball at the Gurdon 48.

The Dogs ran the ball to the Gurdon 23, before kneeling twice to run out the clock and advance to the second round of the AA playoffs.

Hampton will entertain the Danville Littlejohns Nov. 16.

Unofficial statistics show Gurdon one of three in passing for three yards. Hampton was 0-1 with the pass intercepted.

Gurdon punted three times for 89 yards, while Hampton didn't punt at all.

The Devils were flagged three times for 20 yards, while Hampton was penalized four times for 40 yards in loss.

Hampton sacked Plyler once in the game.

The Bulldogs fumbled six times, losing four. Gurdon put the ball on the ground twice, losing it once.

Hampton's wishbone offense garnered 22 first downs, while Gurdon recorded seven.

Gurdon ran 37 offensive plays to Hampton's 57.

The Devils gained 88 yards rushing, whereas the Dogs had 359 yards on the ground.

Meeks was Gurdon's leading rusher, carrying the ball 11 times for 48 yards. Johnson also ran the ball 11 times, but gained 30 yards.

Fort had seven carries for nine yards, while Plyler lost three yards in four attempts. Laster gained two yards on his only carry.

Gurdon averaged 2.7 yards per carry, while Hampton gained 6.4 yards on each rushing attempt.