Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Go-Devils, fans excited about first game, but loss opens season

Gurdon Go-Devil fans were optimistic about Friday nights season-opening

football game, and showed their support in large numbers. Some said they could

smell football in the air. As the Go-Devils and the Junction City Dragons took

to the field, the devils knew they were in for a night of hard work. Gurdon fell to

Junction City by a final tally of 35-7.

During the first quarter Gurdon had problems stopping Junction Citys Garret

Owens with two yards out and 7:56 to play and J.D. Carter, with a 54 yard run

and 1:40 to play causing each to earn an extra point with one being no good.

With Gurdon fans cheering, the Go-Devils were more focused going into the

second quarter. But Junction Citys Kyle Darden scored a 58-yard touchdown

and a two-point conversion followed, with Grantel Kennedy coming up with a

third scoring run and gaining an extra point being good. The Go-Devils had to

rethink their strategy. In the third quarter, the Gurdon defense stiffened up and

allowed no points.

Though Gurdon struggled with many penalties, they would not let obstacles last

long with OBryan Bell scoring on a 13-yard run with 1:10 left to play in the

fourth quarter. The extra point kick was good for Gurdons only score of the

night.

According to senior high football coach John Pace, the Go-Devils played well,

though most are young and inexperienced. He said they threw the ball well, 59

passes with 62 yards, and the defensive line did a good job.

Pace said the team had problems with Junction Citys outside line, due to their

speed. It was a tough game to pull off, he said.

Pace said the key players on the offensive line were Ethan Jones, and on the

defensive line, Cody Dickerson and Keon Holliman.

As the Go-Devils face off with Minerals Springs this Friday, Pace said, They

had young players last year, like we do this year. Well have a pretty good

challenge, but well have to improve on our penalties and movement.