Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Devils expect good season

Go-Devil fans may want to go ahead and start thinking about post-season play.

This year's Gurdon Go-Devil football team is pretty much loaded from top to bottom, with 11 returning starters and 17 returning lettermen from last year's rebuilding team.

Gurdon Coach John Pace said the team has experience this year and a lot of seniors who played in their sophomore and junior years.

What this translates to for fans is a good season for the Devils in the 7AA West, and a better than average shot at going to the playoffs once again.

Of course, as Pace pointed out, the season's success will be largely determined by injury as the team fields a total of 28 players.

Jake Plyler returns for his second year under center as quarterback. Pace said Plyler has constantly worked to improve and is conscientious about what he does.

Another player to watch for will be John Watson. Last season Watson missed four or five games due to a deep thigh bruise. However, he likes to hit and will punish opposing players in his positions as linebacker and running back.

One more thing non-Gurdon players will have to worry about with Watson is his speed. He runs the 100-meters in 11.1 or 11.2, according to Pace and is one of the fastest members of the team.

K.P. Meeks returns as the team's fullback. He is a three-year starter for the Devils. Meeks, a senior, is a good runner and will see time on defense as a linebacker as well.

Team speed will be a factor for Gurdon as the Devils have several fast players.

This includes Davion Williams, who will see action on both sides of the ball as well.

Pace said the Devils have several players with good speed, and the overall team speed is above average.

"Defensively we'll be quick," he said, "especially off the ball. It will help us outquick people to the ball."

Cevin Laster will be the team's tailback again this year. The senior is also a three-year starter and a hard runner.

According to Pace, Dorsey Kelly is returning to football after having not played since he was a freshman. Kelly, he said, will be used primarily as a running back. He has good speed and is expected to contribute to the team.

Marcell Johnson, a junior, played a lot as a sophomore, mostly as linebacker and wingback. He will again be used in these positions for the Devils.

"He's usually around the ball," Pace said. "He had a good sophomore year and was named the most improved player last year for Gurdon. He's quick."

Uthel Gatlin will be utilized as a wingback as well. The senior player will also see time in the secondary, Pace said.

Gatlin started the year in 2001, but went down with a knee injury against Mineral Springs. He returned in time for the playoff game against Hampton.

Much is expected from him in the 2002 campaign.

Another expected to contribute include Heath Griffin, a senior who hasn't played since his freshman year. Griffin will be a wide receiver for the Devils. Pace said he has good hands.

Justin Bell is Gurdon's biggest lineman. He tips the scales at 275 pounds and will be one of the tackles on offense. Josh Uchtman will anchor the other tackle position.

Uchtman has worked hard and is a solid player, Pace said. He will also play defensive tackle.

Mike Testa is a junior this year. He started several games last season as the center for the Devils. He will return to this position again this year.

Brandon Sanders, a junior, will be one of the guards on offense, and will play nose tackle on defense. "He is aggressive and likes to hit," Pace said.

Josh Frisby has to overcome a knee problem, but is expected to start some as center to spell Testa.

Cory Welch will help on the line as well, Pace said.

C.J. Stroder will see action at guard, while Jesse McClure could see action at the nose tackle position for Gurdon.

A couple of sophomores are also expected to contribute to Gurdon's gridiron success this year. They are Hunter Johnson and Jamal Lacey. Lacey broke his leg in the seventh grade and is still having problems overcoming the injury. However, if he heals, Pace said, he could help.

Derek Gosney, a senior who was home schooled most of his academic career, could aid the Devils this year as well.

Others who may earn some playing time for Gurdon include: Calvin Nolen, who has good hands and is improving; Ben Gooding, who had a good pre-season; Nathan Surabaugh, who also worked well in the off season; and Barry Nolen, who played some at quarterback last year when the other two signal callers went down.

Defensively Pace said the Devils have a chance to be good as the squad has several players back from last years, along with a number of heavy hitters.

The team also has speed, which is important when playing teams such as Mineral Springs and Murfreesboro.

Pace said there's a lot of speed in the conference and it will be up to the Devils to control it against their opponents.

One area the team may be a bit weak at is in the kicking game. Pace said they've been struggling with the point after tries and kick offs, but focus on these areas during practice.

At this time, Kelly looks to be the team's best placekicker, while Gatlin may be used to kick off after touchdowns and halftimes.

However, Pace said he will do whatever is necessary to disrupt the other team on kickoffs, even if it means squib kicking the ball.

He said having the ball fielded on the fly at the 20-yard line is not an option as it puts the other team in good position.

By squibbing the ball, as the Devils have done in the past two seasons, it's harder for the other players to pick it up, while giving Gurdon a chance to recover the loose pigskin.

Looking at the conference, Pace said the early nod has to be given to Mineral Springs, as the Hornets haven't lost a home game in three years. "They have the tradition."

Murfreesboro should be a contender as well, he said, as the Rattlers have several returning players as well.

The surprise team in the league could be the Dierks Outlaws, he said. "They're an improved team."

Spring Hill will be the new kids on the block as the Bears enter their first full season of football.

Pace said the Bears could be competitive, as the team played a junior varsity schedule last year against teams such as Prescott, Nashville and Ashdown.

Stamps's Yellow Jackets should be better than last year, he said, and Lewisville has a new head coach.

"I've heard nothing from Horatio," Pace said, "but they have a new head coach and could be good."

Foreman lost some seniors, but the Gators have 28 or 29 players out this year.

"It'll be interesting," he said of the season.

Gurdon managed to fill a full 10-game season, though there were some questions about this happening when Bradley dropped football, leaving every team in the league scrambling to fill the gap.

The Devils replaced Bradley with the Mt. Pine Devils. This contest will be played at Gurdon Stadium Friday, Sept. 27.

There will be something new for the junior high teams in the 7AA as well. This year, the junior squads will be competing for a conference championship, with the league being split into east and west divisions.

The East division is made up of: Gurdon, Stamps, Spring Hill, Lewisville and Bradley.

The West crews will be: Mineral Springs, Dierks, Murfreesboro, Horatio and Foreman.

The winners of their respective divisions will meet in a post-season contest to determine the overall conference champ.

The playoff game is scheduled for October 24.