Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Coach says team is young but still has winning attitude

The Gurdon Go-Devils will come to the 2006 football playing field with a team of mostly young players, according to head coach John Pace, "but we will compete."

Football practice got under way on Monday, July 31, at Gurdon High School.

Pace said, "The talent and positive attitude already being displayed makes winning another district championship possible and encourages me to believe we will have yet another season where Gurdon is in the playoffs."

Pace said Aug. 2 there are 28 players out for this years Go-Devil football team.

Pace, now in his 16th season with Gurdon, said the Go-Devils have won district championships in 1997, 1998, 2003 and 2005.

He said the Go-Devils have participated in the state playoffs 11 times in 16 years.

"If we are in the state playoffs this year, it will make 10 years in a row," Pace said. "This team has a good attitude about working hard and winning. I believe they will stick to their goal of being in the 2006 state football playoffs and they can get there, even though we do have so many sophomores who will have to come out and show us they can play."

The team is practicing twice each morning to maximize skill building time in the 100 degree heat.

Pace said the players will continue with their practice schedule until teacher in-service training begins just before the first day of school, which is Aug. 21.

"We currently go from 8 until 10 a.m., then we have a break," Pace said. "The second daily practice is from 11:15 until 12:30 p.m."

Pace said once school starts, the team will switch to one practice a day. The players will then be on the field at 2:30 p.m., which is the beginning of eighth period.

"Last year, we had a championship team," Pace said, "We want to continue to improve, win, and build another one.

"In 2005, we made it through two rounds in the state playoffs. Charleston beat us and then won the state championship. We still have that winning spirit."

Pace said the team is now in the 7AAA conference. This is new for Gurdon. It comes with some different competitors than in years past for the district championship.

Injury free

"We need to stay injury free to meet our goals," Pace said.

By way of outlining how the 2006 team is shaping up, Pace said, "We have just five returning seniors.

"Gurdon will count on some sophomores to come on with it this year. If we can get them ready to play, and come off the bench tough, well be okay.

Pace will be assisted in coaching for the 2006 football season by Eric Allen, Todd Lewis and Hank Lewis.

Pace said 30 boys have signed up for junior high school football.

"Our strong point on the senior team is our offensive experience in the back field," Pace said. "We have Jonathan Lacy and OBryan Bell involved with the back field action."

Pace said Jeff Henry and Kerry Marks will play important roles in the 2006 football games, but will change up positions.

Zack Duncan and Lonnie Lacy will alternate as quarterbacks.

"We only have two returning starters on offensive line," Pace said. "They are Maricus Williams and Thomas Ellis."

Pace said the first football game will be at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 1, when Gurdon will play Jessieville at the Go-Devil Stadium.

"We play Jessieville, Mineral Springs and Bearden for our first three games this year," he said. "Those will be important games."