Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Harding Academy Sends Gurdon To Indoor Sports

And now it's basketball season.

Gurdon's Go-Devils made it to the quarterfinals of the state AA playoffs before their season came to its conclusion.

In the end, the Devils couldn't overcome two interceptions and a crucial unsportsmanlike conduct call against the coaching staff.

This led to a 14-6 win for the visiting Wildcats of Harding Academy. This was also the second year in a row a private school ended Gurdon's football season.

Gus Brown Stadium has perhaps seen its final game played. The stands were packed on both sides, with fans lined up all along the fence and in the west end zone to see these two teams battle it out.

The unsportsmanlike conduct call came late in the third quarter. Gurdon trailed 7-6 having missed the point after due to a bad snap.

The Devil defense had stopped the 'Cats, forcing a punt.

Gurdon's offense began at its own 37, moving to the Harding 45 before the flag fell.

This moved the Devils back to the Gurdon 40 and placed the team in a third and long situation. Rashun Hopson gained six and the Devils had to punt as the drive stalled.

Harding retaliated by scoring on its ensuing drive to put the score at 14-6. Gurdon never threatened again.

Still, the Devils, ranked sixth in AA in the state, ended the year with a 11-2 record and one of the best defensive football teams in Arkansas.

Gurdon posted a 7-0 conference mark, never really being challenged in the 7AA West division. And, one of the nicer parts of the season, the Devils played eight home games, while being on the road five times.

Additionally, Gurdon's defense allowed only three opponents to score in double figures, while shutting five out entirely. The defensive wrecking crew only allowed a total of 96 points for the 13 games, for an average of 7.4 per game.

Offensively, Gurdon posted 359 points on the board during the season, or 27.6 each outing.

Friday's game began with Harding winning the toss. Stuart Collier fielded the kick at the 15, returning it to the 26.

The 'Cats came out in shotgun formation, with only the quarterback in the backfield.

Winston Collier's first pass to George Pulley fell incomplete, and the second down attempt, to Bill Ganus, was dropped.

Third down saw Collier connect with Reid Smith to the 'Cat 45 and a first down.

An offside call against Gurdon moved the ball to midfield and changed Harding's offensive formation.

The 'Cats drove deep into Gurdon territory, all the way to the 4 before a holding call pushed them back. This was followed by a procedure call and Harding found itself at the Gurdon 22.

Collier connected with Reid, moving to the 11 before Eric Allen picked off Collier's next attempt at the goal line.

Allen returned the theft to the 25 and Gurdon's offense took the field, but not there. A clipping call on the runback moved the Devils back half the distance.

Gurdon showed why it had made it to the quarterfinal round by moving methodically downfield to the Harding 26.

Hopson and Brannon Hatley carried the bulk of the rushing load in the process.

But, after five plays, Allen was intercepted at the five by Pulley, who returned it to the 20 and thwarted the attack.

The 'Cats took over with 3:39 left in the first quarter, ran 10 plays before the period ended and scored, Collier keeping from four yards out, to start the second frame.

The point after split the uprights and Harding had a 7-0 lead an advantage it would not relinquish.

For the remainder of the half, the two squads simply battered one another up and down the field, neither able to capitalize on mistakes made by the other.

Allen and Collier were both picked off again in the frame to kill potential scoring drives.

Late in the period, Collier found Pulley for what appeared to be a 55-yard touchdown pass only to have it called back due to a holding penalty.

This drive later ended with Collier being intercepted by Cody Cox after Smith bobbled the ball.

Halftime saw the score 7-0 in favor of the visitors.

The Devils came out fired up to get the third quarter underway.

Josh Griffin fielded the kick at the 10, returning it to the 31.

Hopson moved Gurdon to the 40 on the first carry as the Devils would march into the promised land later on.

Gurdon's lone scoring drive took 11 plays, along with 6:28. It was culminated by Chad Cox going in on a counter from the 13.

Before the Devils could boot the PAT, they were flagged for illegal procedure. This moved the pigskin back and made the try for point a 20-yard field goal.

A problem with the snap saw the ball loose on the field, and a 'Cat fall on it to keep Harding ahead at 7-6.

But, there was plenty of time left in the contest, and every player on Gurdon's sideline felt the team could win and advance to the semifinal round this week. Those on the sideline were exhorting their compatriots to score on each offensive possession, and hold the 'Cats on defense.

Following the score, the Devil defense did hold the Wildcats, forcing a punt.

Gurdon took over at its own 37 with 4:09 showing.

Hopson earned a first down on the initial carry, with Hatley moving to midfield on the next.

Hopson entered Harding territory at the 47 before Allen kept to the 45 and the bottom fell out.

At this point, the Gurdon coaching staff was flagged for unsportsmanlike conduct and the Devils were penalized 15 yards, back to their own 40.

With third down, the Devils needed 20 yards to keep the drive alive, but Hopson was stopped at the 46 and Gurdon punted.

Pulley took the punt at the 27, returning it to the 50 before being stopped.

The 'Cats, though, were fired up. Collier gained 20 yards on first down, with Pulley taking it to the 24 on Harding's second play.

Period three ended with Collier being stopped at the 21. The final quarter began with Harding hit with a motion call.

A draw to Pulley moved the 'Cats to the 16, and an option to him made it first and goal at the five. He scored on the next play.

The PAT was good and Harding led 14-6.

Starting at the 24, Gurdon tried to rally. After Hatley moved the Devils to the 34, a clipping call nullified the gain, putting the team back to the 14.

Two plays later, Gurdon punted.

Harding ran three plays and had to punt twice. This is because the 'Cats were flagged for illegal procedure on the first kick.

Gurdon took over with 6:25 left, plenty of time to score. But, the Wildcat defense was keyed up and forced the Devils to return the favor.

The snap nearly went over Griffin's head, but a timely jump snagged the ball. The punt, though, only made it to the Devil 46.

Harding began with 4:28 showing and Collier get