Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Football season almost here; Devils expected to do well

It's almost that time of year again; time to get ready for high school football.

Soon Go-Devil Coach John Pace will have his team out practicing to be the best in the hot summer sun.

Last year's team finished third in the 7AA West Conference winning eight out of their 11 games last season.

Five out of six of last year's starters will be returning this season.

Senior Barry Nolan will be leading the Go-Devils as quarterback this season. According to a statewide publication, Nolan ran the offense for three or more series in each of Gurdon's seven blowout victories in 2002.

Davion Williams will also be returning this year. He practiced in the Spring as quarterback, but is expected to play as a receiver this fall.

Pace told the publication, "Junior tailback Jamelle Lacy, has balance and open filed moves."

Three of Gurdon's senior starters are expected to give the other team a run for their money when it comes to holding their own. Left guard Brandon Sanders, right guard Eric McQuistion , and center Michael Testa have all been lifting weights and packing on the extra muscle in order to open up the field.

Two sophomores are coming on board this season to help out McQuistion, Testa and Sanders. Dusty Craig and Robert Plyler both will be sophomores this year and are looking forward to a season of high school football. It will not be these two guys's first time to play with the senior team though. Both were moved up last season to play with the Devils during the play-offs.

Gurdon's defense is expected to be strong with McQuistion, Sanders and Testa returning. Junior end Courtney Barry is also expected to help the Devils to victory also.

Junior Hunter Johnson will be an inside linebacker and Marcell Johnson will also be working as an inside linebaker.

The publication also stated, Nolan, who had four interceptions during 2002, and Williams and Lacy all bring experience to the corners in the secondary. Williams intercepted three passes last season and ran one of them as a touch down.

According to the magazine, Gurdon's strengths are it's linemen and it's weakness is a lack of depth at running back.