Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Go-Devil Defense Rattles Murfreesboro

By JOHN MILLER

An off track was unable to stop Gurdon's thoroughbreds as the Go-Devils posted a 14-8 win over Murfreesboro Halloween night.

Gurdon's defense lived up to its wrecking crew reputation as Rattler offensive players can attest. On 24 carries, Murfreesboro was only able to gain 25 yards, while the Devils sacked the Rattler signalcaller five times for 23 yards.

Murfreesboro's receivers didn't fare any better and woke up sore and bruised Saturday morning after being punished throughout the entire game.

Gurdon's eighth win of the season came on the best defensive game the team has played to date, while a couple of Rattler mistakes helped the Devils with the victory.

Murfreesboro won the toss, the only thing the visitors won all night, and took the opening kick.

Starting at their own 38, the Rattlers were quickly introduced to the hard-charging wrecking crew. Three plays later Gurdon received the first punt of the night.

The Devils opened up at their 27, with the ground attack apparently alive and well once again. Kenny Hughes, the workhorse for the night, rumbled for 12 yards on his first carry.

But, on Gurdon's third play from scrimmage, an errant toss from Jarrod Toland to Hughes on a sweep hit the turf and was pounced on by a host of snakes at the Devil 38.

Three plays later the Rattlers had managed two incomplete passes and five yards on the ground. Calling time out, the visiting snakes decided to take a chance.

J.D. Terrell, the Murfreesboro quarterback, dropped back to pass. Running for his life, he was brought down by Keone Penny for the first sack of the game.

This gave Gurdon the ball at the Devil 35. Again, the hosts began marching downfield, only to have a turnover shut the drive down.

Toland was winging a pass over the middle, with Jason Burns stepping in front of the Gurdon receiver at the Rattler 27.

The Rattlesnake step went three and out, with Terrell being sacked at his own 19.

Gurdon took over at the 36 after the punt. The Devils lined up in the Power-I formation for the first time this season.

Less than ideal conditions were again the factor in thwarting the Devils as a bad snap cost Gurdon a shot at a first down and forced a punt.

Josh Griffin's kick sailed to Brian Caldwell at the Rattler 30. Caldwell fumbled the ball, but was able to fall on it at the 21.

Terrell again put on his track shoes as Gurdon defenders spent three consecutive downs in the backfield chasing him. One pass was almost intercepted and on third down he was flushed out of the pocket and forced to run for his life.

Field position was good for Gurdon on the punt as the Devils began their next drive on the 47 as time was running out in the first period.

Chauncey Charles broke into Rattler territory with a run to the 45, with Antonio Gatlin adding a yard on the next play as the buzzer sounded ending a scoreless first quarter.

Unfortunately, Gurdon's drive stalled and the Devils punted, pinning their foes at the six.

The Devils showed why their defense is ranked among the best in the state as they shut down Murfreesboro's offense completely.

The Rattlers managed to get to their 18 before Terrell pitched to Robbie Brooks. Brooks was separated from the ball, and his thoughts, at the 25, with the fumble being recovered by Flint King.

This was the break the Devils needed. Hughes moved the ball closer to the promised land with a 10-yard run on first down. Kaleph Williams added three more before Hughes was called on again.

With the ball at the 10, Toland flipped a screen to Eric Hatley, who soft-shoed his way to the end zone and the first score of the night. Griffin split the uprights giving Gurdon a 7-0 lead with 6:39 to play in the half.

At no time during the contest did the Gurdon defense allow the Rattler offense to get out of park.

Murfreesboro ran a total of three plays before having to punt the ball away after Gurdon scored.

However, the poor field conditions also had an adverse affect on the Devil offense, as it, too, sputtered at times.

Following the punt, Gurdon went three and out, giving the snakes the ball at their own 27.

Terrell managed his first completion to Chad Horn for four yards, but missed connection with Burns on second down. Michael Graham reached the 35 on the third down play with the Devils asking for time with 1:22 left in the half.

When the two teams lined up after the time out, the Rattlers spent their second one. Once play finally resumed, Murfreesboro lined up as if they were going for it on fourth down. However, the Devils were not fooled and didn't jump offside as the snakes hoped.

This led to yet another punt from the visiting team, giving Gurdon the ball at its 32 with 1:12 left.

Hughes plowed his way to the 39 on first down, but a high pitch from Toland on second cost Gurdon nine yards. The final play of the half saw Toland fail to connect with Gatlin.

Still, the Devils were holding a 7-0 lead.

The second half began with a "pooch" style kick sailing out of bounds and putting Gurdon on its 35.

But, it was one, two, three kick for the Devils in their opening drive.

The Rattlers took control of the pigskin at their own 12, moved to the 16, where, on third down, Terrell's pass found purple and gold clad player Hatley.

This put the Devils on the Murfreesboro 29 as Gurdon readied for its second score of the night.

Three straight runs by Hughes put Gurdon on the 16, before the zebras got into the act by throwing a flag against the Devils for illegal motion.

Toland's pass to Griffin on a slant was tipped away on second down and the third down pass went incomplete to Hatley, except for the hankie laying near the end zone.

The referee said the Rattler defender had interfered with Hatley and the ball was placed on the 11.

Hughes was caught for a three-yard loss before Toland tossed the ball to Hatley who had ran a corner pattern. Hatley cradled the ball, giving the Devils a 13-0 lead. Griffin's kick was again true and Gurdon was up 14-0.

There was unwanted drama on the kickoff as Noel Davis fielded the kick at the 20. When he reached the 29, a semi by the name of Williams was there to meet him, leveling the runner with a nasty tackle.

Davis laid on the turf for about 10 minutes while medical personnel examined him. He left the game with a broken collarbone.

Gurdon's defense was fired up after the blow and sacked Terrell at the 22 on first down. A third down screen gained three yards and forced the snakes to punt.

The Devils took over at the Rattler 43. First down saw Charles break free and sprint to the promised land, while a flag brought the score back.

Gurdon was nailed for holding and moved back to the Devil 46.

Facing a first and 20, instead of being up 21-0, the Devils managed to reach the Rattler 41 before having to punt themselves.

It was on this punt the visiting snakes were able to