Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Devils's season comes to an end at Mt. Ida

Gurdon's football season came to an end with a heartbreaking 27-21 overtime loss at Mount Ida Friday night.

Gurdon did not trail until the final play of the game. From the first drive it seemed as if Gurdon had the game well in hand.

The Devils took the opening kickoff and started the first drive from the 20. Gurdon marched 80 yards on 13 plays. Seniors Cevin Laster and K.P. Meeks did the bulk of the work, splitting carries between 11 of those 13 plays.

Meeks capped off the drive with a one yard dive with 7:23 left in the first quarter.

The Lions of Mount Ida would have a long drive of their own on their first possession. Starting from their 28, the Lions moved the ball to the Gurdon 25.

A false start moved the Lions back on first down. The Lions could not pick up the first down on four tries and turned the ball over on downs.

The next score did not occur until the 5:20 mark in the second quarter. Mount Ida quarterback Josh Ellison ended a 15-play drive with a quarterback sneak for a one-yard touchdown run.

The two teams went in at the half tied 7-7.

Both teams struggled offensively in the early part of the third quarter, and punted on their opening possessions.

At the five minute mark in the third quarter, Gurdon got its first break.

Mount Ida running back Randy Dye fumbled near the Lion 30 where Laster recovered.

The Gurdon drive that followed consisted of all runs by Meeks and Laster, with Laster capping the drive with a six-yard touchdown run on first and goal from the Mount Ida six.

Gurdon regained the lead 14-7.

The Lions fought back on their next drive, coming inside the Gurdon 40.

The Devils forced another turnover on downs inside their own territory.

On the first play of the drive and the second play of the fourth quarter, senior Uthel Gatlin found room to his left and sprinted down the right sideline for a 56-yard touchdown run. With less than a quarter to play, Gurdon was in position to finish off Mount Ida.

It did not take the Lions long to strike back. In two and a half minutes of game clock, the Lions marched 55-yards for a touchdown.

The Lions missed the extra point attempt as they trailed 21-13.

Gurdon attempted to run out the clock in the last nine minutes of play. The Devils ate up four minutes of clock on their next drive, before being forced to punt. Barry Nolan's punt rolled to the Mount Ida 26.

The Lions had just over four minutes to score a touchdown and complete a two point conversion., and did just that.

Mount Ida marched 74 yards sprinkling in the pass for big gains. With 18 seconds left in regulation, Dye carried the ball across the goal line for a Lion touchdown. Ellison completed the two point conversion pass to Dye and the score was tied at 21.

The Devils tried to win the game in regulation.

Gurdon wide receiver Davion Williams ran a fly route down the left sideline. Plyler put the ball in his hands, but the pass was dropped.

Mount Ida won the toss in overtime and elected to be on defense first. Both teams would get the ball at the 10 and have four downs to score.

After losing four yards on first down, Gurdon would try to go to the air.

Plyler's first pass fell incomplete and his second pass was intercepted.

Mount Ida ran three straight running plays to get to the Gurdon one. On fourth and goal, the ball was given to Dye over left guard as he squeezed into the end zone to give Mount Ida the victory in the first round of the playoffs.

Mount Ida made the plays down the stretch when the game was on the line.

Gurdon missed opportunities when chances were given. A long touchdown run was called back in the third quarter due to holding. Gurdon had a chance to win the game at the end of regulation, but could not convert.

The passing game again haunted the Devils. The Lions completed seven of 14 passes for 140 yards while Gurdon completed one of seven for one yard.

Gurdon will have to fill some voids for next year's football team. The Devils lose their starting quarterback (Plyler), their starting tailback (Laster), their fullback and linebacker (Meeks), and another linebacker (John Watson, who is also a team captain).

Nolan played well at the quarterback position when Plyler was injured, so Gurdon will still have a quarterback with game experience.

Jamelle Lacy should compete for the starting tailback position next year. He has been impressive as a sophomore. Hunter Johnson has showed promise at fullback and should be able to fill in there.

Meeks and Watson will be hard to replace at linebacker. The Devils stopped the run very well over the course of the year, and Meeks and Watson were a major part of that success.