Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Devils whip Norphlet in jamboree

Monday night, Aug. 23, was the first display of football talent by the Gurdon Go-Devils for the 2004 season and a grand display it was with Gurdon Go-Devils smoking Norphelt 22-0 after three jamboree quarters.

Assistant Coach Nick Kelnhofer offered his positive opinion on the team after a jamboree against Norphlet.

"All I can say is this team is performing a lot better than we coaches expected," Kelnhofer said.

The coach said the first touchdown was by Hunter Johnson, a senior and fullback. Jamelle Lacy made the two-point conversion. Jamelle Lacy made the second touchdown. Frank Smith made the third one with Kenneth Harper making good on the two points.

The Gurdon Go Devils football team will travel to Prescott to face their arch rivals, the Curley Wolves, with game time at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 3.

Gurdon Head Coach John Pace said he needs the team to stay healthy and to concentrate on the three years Gurdon beat Prescott, not last year's loss to the Curley Wolves.

Coach Pace said the popular battle usually has a lot of fans on site, so come on to the game a little early if possible.

Gurdon, 7AA West returning conference champions, are five for six on returning starters, that is five for offense and six for defense.

Coach Pace said this year's Go Devils have strength in their running backs.

The coaching staff for the Go-Devils 2004 includes: Pace, head coach; and secondary coaches Hank Lewis, Nick Kelnhofer and Flint King.

Pace said Cameron Kennedy is the most improved player from a year ago for the Go Devils.

Junior right tackle Robert Plyler dropped 20 pounds in the off-season and grew two more inches. Classmate Dusty Craig returns to left tackle where he bench presses 330 pounds. Agile senior C.J. Stroder will be a seasoned guard. The emergence of junior Jerome Pollins at tackle could send Robert Plyler to a guard slot.

Pace went on to say that Courtney Berry, an all-state end as a junior, had 100 tackles or more last year and set a single-season school record with 10 sacks. Calvin Nolan had 35 tackles and three sacks.

Lonnie Lacy is probable at cornerback, where Prado will fight for a starting role.

This year's roster includes: Ben Goading, senior, wide receiver and defensive end; Javelle Lacy, senior, running back, defensive back; Courtney Berry, senior defensive end, tied end; Daniel Francis, sophomore, quarterback, defensive end; Jonathan Lacy, sophomore, fullback, linebacker; Frank Smith, senior running back, defensive back; Kenneth Harper, junior, offensive linebacker; Calvin Nolan, senior quarterback, defensive end; Robert Plyler, offensive and defensive lineman; Deandrea Williams, junior center linebacker; Kentrell Green, junior wide receiver; Cameron Kennedy, junior wingback and defensive back; Jeremy Williams, senior, offensive and defensive line; C.J. Stroder, senior offensive and defensive line; James Heartsfield, sophomore wide receiver, defensive back; Dusty Craig, offensive and defensive line; Thomas Ellis, sophomore offensive and defensive line; Kerry Marks, sophomore wide receiver and defensive back; Colton McClure, sophomore offensive and defensive line; David Dickerson, junior defensive and tied end; Hunter Johnson, fullback and linebacker; Freddie Thompson, junior offensive and defensive lineman; Lonnie Lacy, sophomore running and defensive back; Jack Wolf, sophomore offensive and defensive lineman; Jesus Prado, junior quarterback and defensive back; T.J. Morgan, senior offensive and defensive line; and Clayton Rainey, sophomore offensive and defensive line.

The Gurdon Go-Devils invite all of their fans to Friday night's away game against Prescott.

The remainder of the Go-Devils schedule is as follows, with all high school games starting at 7:30 p.m.: Sept. 10, Lafayette County, home; Sept. 17, Junction City, home; Sept. 24, Foreman, away; Oct. 1, Dierks, away; Oct. 8, Spring Hill, home; Oct. 15, Mineral Springs, away; Oct. 22, Murfreesboro, home and homecoming; Oct. 29, Horatio, home; and ending on Nov. 5 with Fouke, away.

Head Coach John Pace, who has been at his profession more than two decades, said his record at the school is 79-59-1, with last year's conference championship record at 8-3.