Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Gurdon Tames Lions

Horatio couldn't do it.

The officials couldn't do it.

In fact, no team to step on the field against Gurdon this season could do it.

The Go-Devils waltzed through their schedule with no losses in any game. The only blemish on their slate was the 2-0 forfeit to Dierks. Had the Outlaws had the courage to play Gurdon, the Devils would have a 10-0 season.

Instead, the Devils have a 9-1 record officially and whipped the Horatio Lions and officiating crew 36-14 Friday. The score wasn't as close as indicated as two certain touchdowns were lost because of officiating.

One score was called back because of a penalty, while another potential touchdown didn't happen because no call was made when the Gurdon receiver was sandwiched in the end zone by two Lion players before the ball arrived.

It was also a very long game because of the penalties and passing attack by the Lions.

Gurdon won the toss and took the opening kick, starting at their own 38.

The first flag of the game, where 23 were thrown, came on the third play of the contest with Horatio being flagged for a 15-yarder.

Gurdon marched downfield almost at will against the Lions. As the Devils were moving toward the promised land, Jarrod Toland dropped back to pass.

He winged the ball to his favorite receiver, Eric Hatley, who was clotheslined by a Lion well before the ball arrived. This drew a flag and put Gurdon at the Horatio 14.

Still, it took the Devils four more plays to crack the end zone, with Toland hitting Keon Brewer for what appeared to be the first of his three touchdown passes on the fourth down play.

Unfortunately, a hanky was lying on the wet turf and Gurdon was called for holding. Toland's pass attempt to Hatley was incomplete and Horatio owned the ball.

The Lions wasted no time in going to the air as they lined up in a shotgun from the outset.

Coy Williamson missed the first pass, but connected with Josh Patrick on his second try. The third pass also found a receiver, but this one was wearing a gold and purple helmet and wearing No. 32.

Kenny Hughes returned the interception to the Lion 23.

It took the Devils two plays to cash in on the short field. The score came with Toland getting credit for the touchdown pass as he nailed Hatley in the end zone from 22 yards out.

The point after attempt was wide right, but Gurdon held a 6-0 lead and a lead it would never relinquish.

Following the kick, picked up by Jeremy Patrick at the six and returned to the seven, Williamson found several of the Devils' wrecking crew wanting to meet him.

Running for his life, he threw up a wounded duck only to see it picked off by Chauncey Charles, who took it to the three.

Hughes carried twice for a yard before Toland rolled out on the option, keeping it for the score with 3:16 left in the first.

The try for two failed when Toland couldn't connect with Hatley.

The Lions had better field position on their next drive, starting from their 27.

Horatio also found a play Gurdon had problems defensing all night -- the quarterback draw from the 'gun. Williamson gained 12 yards on his first run from this play.

However, after a good run, he dropped back to pass and met Josh Griffin in the backfield. While Griffin was holding Williamson's jersey to get better acquainted, the quarterback threw the ball to Hatley, who brought it to the Lion 40.

Four plays later, the buzzer sounded with the Devils up 12-0 and having a third and one at the Lion 17.

Toland kept to the 15 for a first down, but the Devils were nailed for holding on the next play and moved back 10 yards.

Toland again ran the option, but his pitch found the turf instead of Charles. The fumble was recovered by Horatio at the 14 with 11:21 to go.

Some non-calls by the officials helped the Lions on what was to be their first scoring drive. Horatio moved down the field in 10 plays, scoring when Williamson found Josh Patrick for the touchdown.

The PAT cut Gurdon's lead to 12-7.

An offensive pass interference call on third down cost Gurdon any chance of scoring. It also moved the Devils back 15 yards and cost them third down, forcing a punt.

Starting at the Gurdon 40, Williamson soon met members of the Devil's wrecking crew defense. First and second down saw the Lion quarterback sacked by Gurdon, and the third down play was an incomplete pass.

The Devils began their next drive at their 29 and wasted no time in scoring again.

Charles gained three to the 32 on first down before Toland found a lonesome Hatley on a hitch and go pattern behind the secondary. Hatley nestled the ball gently in his hands and outran the defense for the 68-yard touchdown pass.

Gurdon was flagged for holding on the try for two, which had been unsuccessful. Still, the Devils were up 18-7 and weren't finished scoring in the first half.

Horatio ran seven plays, including the second of six sacks on the night, before giving the ball to Gurdon on downs at the Lion 45.

With 2:10 to go in the half, Toland stepped under center. He gave the ball to Kaleph Williams who bulled through the middle of the line for four yards.

He tossed to Hatley on second down and saw a flag be tossed as the Lions were naughty and interfered with Hatley's ability to catch the ball.

Hughes carried from the 27 to the 23 for the only other rush of the drive, as Toland completed passes to Hatley, Hughes and Griffin before finding Hatley for the score with three ticks left.

Once again, the try for two failed, but Gurdon was up 24-7.

The Lions opened the second half in a no-huddle offense and were able to move for their second score with a 62-yard drive.

It took nine plays, with Gurdon being flagged twice for the Lions to score. But, the Devils also recorded a sack, just so Williamson wouldn't get too lonely.

The score came on a pass to Josh Patrick from the four. The PAT was good, cutting the score to 24-14.

Flags kept either team from putting together another scoring drive in the third period, forcing both to swap punts and hope.

The Lion quarterback found himself in a track meet, running for his life almost every time he dropped back to pass.

Gurdon's fans were also extremely vocal, drawing the ire of the head official who threatened to throw some of them out.

The final 12 minutes began with Gurdon in possession with a second and nine situation at the Lion 29.

Toland nailed Griffin at the 14 for the first down, and kept the ball on an option for the score on the next play.

The Devils were flagged for delay of game on the PAT try, moving them further back. Toland was unable to complete the pass to Griffin for the conversion, but Gurdon held a 30-14 lead.

For a while, neither team was able to do much offensively. Gurdon's defense spent a good deal of time in the Lion backfield, while the offense was in neutral for a while.

With 4:14 left in the game, the Lions turned the ball over on