Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Go-Devil Defense Rattles Murfreesboro (cont)

score Caldwell took the kick at the nine, broke containment and sprinted 91 yards for the score.

The Rattlers were successful on a two-point conversion, putting them within six of the Devils at 14-8.

Time, at this point, was not a factor for Murfreesboro, while the clock moved much too slowly for Gurdon.

On the ensuing kick, it appeared as though a Rattler player tackled the receiver, Justin Griffin, out of bounds. While a flag was thrown, it went against Gurdon for unsportsmanlike conduct. It also moved the Devils back to their 30 with six seconds left in the third.

Hughes ended the period with an eight yard run. The final 12 minutes began with the Devils marching downfield.

Gurdon utilized a punishing ground game with its aerial assault to move to the Rattler 29. Toland had completed a pass to Hatley, who was fighting for every inch he could get. However, while battling for yardage, the ball was stripped with the Rattlers recovering.

Other than stopping a potential scoring drive, the turnover didn't matter. Terrell was formally introduced to Gurdon's KW truck on second down as the two met at the 28.

The Devils began their next drive at their own 30. Right off the bat, Gurdon was hit with a holding call, moving the ball back to the 20.

This is where the Devil's demonic offense went to work. Toland hit Hatley with a screen, moving to the 31. Charles followed with an eight-yard blast. The Rattlers helped by jumping offside and moving the ball five more yards to the 44.

Gurdon's offense managed to get to the Rattler 44 before sputtering and punting to the snake 13. Caldwell's return set the Rattlers up at the 19.

Another snake dance was held as it was one, two, three, kick, with Terrell being hurried, harassed and sacked for the fifth time and forcing another punt.

With 2:42 left in the contest, the Devils showed their greedy nature and held onto the pigskin, reaching the Rattler 30 before time expired.

Unofficial statistics show the Devils dominance throughout the game.

Toland was seven of 16 in the air, with two touchdowns and one interception. His counterpart completed three of 12 attempts for 15 yards and had two picked off.

The Devils were flagged six times for 50 yards in losses, while the Rattlers saw hankies fall five times for 40 yards.

In punting, the Devils booted the ball away four times for 132 gross yards, giving up 88 return yards. On the other side of the ball, Murfreesboro punted seven times for 219 yards with no returns.

Gurdon put the ball on the ground four times in the mud, while losing two. The Rattlers dropped it twice and lost it once.

First down stats aren't even funny. Gurdon posted 13, while the wrecking crew defense only allowed two.

Gurdon ran a total of 54 offensive plays, while the snakes had 36 snaps.

On the ground the Devils gained 126 yards, while only allowing a minuscule 25.

This gave Gurdon 208 total yards, while the defense only surrendered 40.

Hughes was the leading rusher and ball carrier. He toted the mail 20 times for 68 yards. Charles had 10 carries for 41 yards, while Williams ran the ball four times, gaining 13 yards.

Toland kept the ball twice for no gain, while Griffin lost four yards on an errant reverse play. Gatlin had one yard rushing.

With the win, Gurdon is now assured of a playoff spot. The Devils are a half-game behind Mineral Spring because the Hornets have finished their season and have a 6-1 league record. Gurdon stands at 5-1 with one game remaining.

A check of Friday's results show Dierks managing a meaningless win over the hapless Lewisville Red Devils with a 35-16 score. Horatio pounded Foreman 40-22 and Mineral Springs terminated Stamps 42-7.

A look at the 7A-West standings shows the Hornets in first with their 7-1-1 overall record and 6-1 mark in the conference (the loss was at the hands of Gurdon, 22-21, on Sept. 26).

The Devils are next at 8-1 and 5-1 (and this loss shouldn't count, but Dierks wanted the forfeit instead of a whipping on the field). Then comes the Rattlers, 5-4, 4-2.

They are followed by Horatio, 4-5, 3-3; Stamps, 4-5, 3-3; Dierks, 3-6, 2-4; Foreman, 3-6, 2-4; and Lewisville, 0-9, 0-7.

This weeks conference action has Dierks visiting Stamps, Foreman at Murfreesboro and Gurdon going on the road to Horatio. Lewisville steps out of league play to tangle with winless Woodlawn.

While the Devils are guaranteed a playoff spot, they can be the host team with a win against the Lions Friday night.

Take note, Gurdon's defense has given up the fourth fewest points in the state by allowing a total of 60 to be scored.

Barton had surrendered a scant 33 on defense in a weak-sister conference, while Watson Chapel has given up 44 so far in the AAA Southeast. Pulaski Robinson, 5AA Central, has allowed 54 points.

Horatio's offensive players will need to keep this in mind as Gurdon's team of destiny rides boldly into Lion country with a 7:30 date Friday.