Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Go-Devils tame Lions with 49-0 win at home

The Gurdon Go-Devils have moved one step closer to an outright conference championship with a big win over Bismarck on Friday, Oct. 19. The Go-Devils shut out their visitors 49-0, leaving the Lions whimpering and the mercy rule in effect before the end of the first half.

The Go-Devil offense got their bluff in on the Lions early as they held the team to fourth and six on its first drive. A punt sailed to the Gurdon 48 yard line where the Go-Devils took over for their first try at offense.

On the first play, junior OBryan Bell made a run to near the end zone, but a penalty was called against the Go-Devils for holding, and the ball was brought back to the 42 yard line where the Go-Devils retried the first down at first and 17.

Bell fumbled the ball in the backfield and recovered it, but he was sacked for a loss bringing up second and 24. Bell did not wait long to make up for his loss as he ran 64 yards to the end zone to put the Go-Devils on the board.

The extra point attempt went wide to the right, and the score remained 6-0.

The Go-Devils returned the ball to the Lions 13 yard line. Bismarck was able to pick up one first down on the drive, but punted away on Go-Devil senior Andrew Franklin who made a six yard return.

Bell made his way back to the end zone on the next play with a 55 yard run. Bell took the ball in for a two point conversion, brining the score to 14-0.

The Lions failed to get a first down on their next possession and turned the ball over on down.

Quarterback Zack Duncan found the end zone for the Go-Devils with 1:24 left in the first quarter on a 29 yard quarterback keeper. A try for two extra points was not successful, and the score moved out to 20-0.

The Lions punter fumbled the punt on the next punt attempt, and the Go-Devils fell on the ball at the Lions 15 yard line to begin first and 10.

Senior Jeff Henry carried the ball to the three yard line for the first down before another hand-off from quarterback Ethan Jones to Henry for a three yard run into the end zone. Bell made the two point conversion, and the score was 28-0.

The Lions picked up a first down on their next drive thanks to a five yard penalty against the Go-Devils for encroachment, but the team later punted on fourth and five.

On first and 10 at the Go-Devils 34, a pass from Duncan was in and out of the hands of Beau McKenzie at the Lions 30. On the next play, McKenzie was able to hang onto the ball and run it in for a touchdown. A point after attempt was successful to increase the score to 35-0.

The mercy rule was put into effect, leaving the clock running.

The first half ended with the Go-Devils in possession of the ball.

At the request of the Bismarck coaching staff, the second half of the ballgame consisted of two eight minute quarters. The mercy rule remained in effect, and the clock never stopped  not even at the end of the third quarter.

Gurdon had possession first in the second half, and made it down the field quick. Kareem Martin made the score for the Go-Devils from five yards out with 2:31 remaining in the third quarter. The kick for the extra point rolled across the ground, bringing the score to 41-0.

The Go-Devils found the end zone one last time with four minutes left in the game. Martin ran the ball in from 40 yards out, and Jones picked up the two extra points. The game ended with the Go-Devils on top 49-0.

What weve got to think about from this point forward is Lafayette County, Head Coach John Pace told the team after the game. Were two games away from being undefeated in conference and being the outright conference champions.

In a post-game interview, Pace said he was proud of his teams performance against Bismarck, but the game at Lafayette County will be much tougher.

Theyve got a lot of speed and they spread the field out a lot, he said. Theyve got some good athletes.

Every student on the roster was able to play in the game against Bismarck, Pace said, with the exception of a few who were out with injuries.

Weve got to get everyone healthy for next week.

The Gurdon Go-Devils will take on the Lafayette County Cougars on Friday, Oct. 26. Kick-off is at 7:30 p.m. The game will take place at Keith Field in Stamps. The field is located just off U.S. Hwy. 82.

The Junior Go-Devils will take on the Junior Cougars at Go-Devil Stadium in Gurdon on Thursday, Oct. 25. Kick-off is at 7 p.m.