Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Gurdon Homecoming Easily Won (cont)

running to the Lion 45.

He found Charles at the 36 on third down, giving the Devils a first and 10.

Four plays later, Charles was again standing in the Lion end zone with Gurdon leading 41- 6. Charles and Hatley carried the load, with Charles finishing the trip with an 18-yard run.

The PAT again went between the uprights and Gurdon was up 42-6.

One thing to be said for the Lions, the team never quit. Though completely outclassed, Horatio fought to the best of its ability.

After taking over on its 32, following a squib kick, the Lions got to the Gurdon 36 with the help of a late hit call.

However, Horatio shot itself in the foot by moving too soon on the next play.

Billingsley, when first down finally began, winged the ball, saw it batted and caught by Gurdon's Adam Gooding at the Devil 42.

It took 2:11 for Gurdon to score for the final time of the night.

Hatley gained to the 47 on first down, with Charles setting the ball at midfield. Gurdon was then hit with an illegal motion call and moved back to the 45.

Allen dropped back, found Jeff Rhodes, who rambled to the Lion 4 before getting caught. With 3:01 showing, Hatley scored and Gurdon led 48-6.

The PAT was no good.

The Lions were unable to move consistently on the ensuing drive, with Billingsley getting picked off by Allen at the Gurdon 11.

Griffin took snaps for the rest of the night, but the Devils were unable to sustain a drive for the rest of the game either.

Unofficial stats show Gurdon absolutely dominant. The Devils were five of 11 for 86 yards through the air, while Horatio winged the ball 25 times, completing 12 passes for 131 yards.

Gurdon's strength comes from its front line and ground attack. The Devils rushed 36 times for a total of 358 yards, while the defense gave up 76 yards on 28 carries.

Both squads punted four times. Gurdon had a gross of 145 yards, netting the same with no return yards allowed. The Lions grossed 123 yards, but netted only 63 as Gurdon returned the punts for 60 yards.

The Devils led in an area no teams wants to penalties. Gurdon saw 14 flags for 103 yards, while the Lions were penalized eight times for 40 yards.

Allen was picked off once as the Devils suffered but one turnover. Billingsley, however, was picked off four times, while the Lions fumbled twice for a total of six turnovers.

Gurdon earned 15 first downs, with the Lions getting 12, but most of these came by way of penalty.

Billingsley met seven different Devil defenders in the backfield as he was sacked seven times.

Charles carried the ball 13 times for 109 yards and three touchdowns, while Hatley had 11 carries for 159 yards and a pair of scores.

Allen carried once for nine yards, while Griffin carried once for five yards and a touchdown.

Hopson rushed four times, gaining 67 yards and a touchdown, with Cox running twice for four yards. Oliver Webster carried twice for five yards.

For the season, Gurdon's offense has scored a total of 304 points, or 30.4 points per game.

The defense has allowed 56 points, or 5.6 a game and pitched four shutouts.

Now, the Devils are preparing for their first round game against Bearden, with the Bears to venture into Gus Brown.

The 7AA East team whipped Hermitage 42-16 Thursday night to end its regular season and secure a fourth place finish in its division.

In other games of interest, Lewisville stepped out of conference to tangle with Woodlawn, battling to a 14-14 tie.

Murfreesboro had no trouble with Foreman, winning 41-6, while Stamps whipped Dierks 27-8.

With Gurdon at home against Bearden Friday night, Murfreesboro will host Smackover. Mineral Springs is on the road to Harmony Grove as the third place finisher in 7AA West and Horatio has the unenviable task of taking on Junction City.

All games are scheduled to begin at 7:30 p.m.