Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Go-Devils Roast Wolves

By JOHN MILLER

It's not often a losing football team can be called lucky.

However, the Prescott Curley Wolves were lucky Friday night though whipped by the Gurdon Go-Devils at Gus Brown field. Had Devil defenders been able to hold onto errant pass attempts, the score would have been much worse than 30-22.

Gurdon defenders dropped two sure touchdowns had they managed to pick off the ball, while a third may have been run back, had the pass been picked. In addition, the Devils had a touchdown called back because of a penalty.

So, the Wolves were lucky they didn't get beat much worse than they did.

It was a sweet victory for Gurdon as the Devils captured the Picayune-Times Southwest Pigskin Classic for the first time since the trophy was created three years ago.

While some may say the win was a fluke this year, they must have been watching a different game. The Devils simply dominated Prescott on both sides of the ball.

On a night with the temperature in the mid 80s and the humidity hanging heavy, Gurdon's small team (in numbers) showed they were the better squad.

The Wolves took the opening kick at the 10 yard line to get the game started, after the ball was bobbled by the receiver.

Five plays later, the Wolves were forced to punt, as they had only managed to gain 16 yards. Prescott also was fortunate Antonio Gatlin missed Al Johnston's pass, as he had a clear path to the promised land.

Jarrod Yates put the foot to the ball, sailing it to Gatlin at Gurdon's 34.

Devil mentor John Pace called for a game opening pass, a rare occasion in Gurdon, only to see Jarrod Toland's attempt be tipped and picked off by Johnston.

Prescott took over on the Devil 29 and moved steadily toward Gurdon's goal line. The short drive ended with Carlos Vanhook going in from the four with 6:53 left. The point after gave the Wolves the only lead they would have all night at 7-0.

On the ensuing kickoff, Rashun Hopson fielded the kick at the 15, giving his team great field position at the Prescott 45.

Gurdon's offense moved the ball to the Wolf 18 before being stymied. On third and eight, Toland dropped back to pass, winging the ball toward the corner of the west endzone.

A Prescott defender got a hand on the ball, and two Devils, Keon Brewer and Kaleph Williams, dove for the pigskin but came up short.

The Devils turned the ball over on downs when Toland and Eric Hatley failed to make a connection.

It was three and out for the Wolves, with Gurdon taking over for the second time at the Prescott 44 after a good punt return by Hatley.

The Devils started the second period with second and 10, but were halted before they began by a delay of game penalty.

This resulted in the second Gurdon punt of the night, which traveled to Calvin Flemons at the eight. He was greeted by a host of Devils, losing two yards on the effort.

Three plays later, including a pass almost picked by Williams, Prescott punted again.

Hatley took the ball at the 38, taking it all the way to the promised land. The Devils lined up for a point after kick, only to see it blocked.

But, the zebras had dropped part of their laundry and Prescott was hit with an offside call.

Gurdon disdained the kick, going instead for two. Toland called the option, kept the ball and waltzed in untouched.

This gave the Devils an 8-7 lead and a lead they would never lose.

Prescott got good field position as the kick was returned to the 32. Three running plays later, the Wolves were at the Gurdon 49.

On third and three, Johnston met a Gurdon defender. This excitement, combined with a wicked hit, caused him to lose the ball.

As Santa came early, Keone Penny picked up the loose gift and rambled all the way to the end zone for Gurdon's second score in less than two minutes.

Again the Devils went for two, with Toland keeping for the conversion.

With 7:25 left in the half, the two teams battled back and forth, with neither able to gain an advantage or sustain a drive until Gurdon's final possession of the period.

With 4:25 showing, the Devils took over on their 27, moving downfield to the Prescott 24.

An option play lost three yards and cost the Devils their final time out with 0:50 left.

Pace told his quarterback to go to the air, but Toland was unable to hit either Brewer or Terry Cornish with his first two passes.

Third down saw Toland and Williams hook up as Williams completed his trip in the endzone.

Gurdon's players began celebrating as they appeared to be on the verge of blowing Prescott out. However, the zebras had gotten into the act again by dropping a flag. The Devils were penalized for having an ineligible receiver downfield.

This cost Gurdon the touchdown, 10 yards and the down. Chauncey Charles gained to the 21 on fourth down, but the Wolves took possession with 0:26 left.

Johnston's first pass was tipped, falling incomplete, with the second attempt almost picked off.

Still, the half ended with Gurdon leading their arch-rivals 16-7.

Prescott took possession at its own 28 to start the third period, running three plays and punting to Hatley at the 41.

Gurdon's offense dealt a blow that sent the Wolves reeling, as Kenny Hughes forced his way downfield and putting the Devils in prime position at the Prescott 28.

Toland kept to the 23 on third down, but this was short of a first.

As the Devils kicking game is somewhat lacking, Pace decided to go for it on fourth and one. Charles plowed his way to the 20 to keep the drive alive.

Three plays later, after losing a yard on the first two, Toland locked up with Hatley at the one. Hatley made the reception falling backwards as the ball split two defenders.

Williams put the finishing touches on the drive by going in for the score.

The Wolves were nailed for being offsides, moving the try for two to the one-and-a-half yard line. Hughes iced this score and Gurdon led 24-7.

It was three and out for Prescott on the following possession, but the Devils could not move the ball either when they took over.

Prescott took control with 2:33 in the third at its 27. The Wolves were immediately blessed by the officials with a pass interference call against Gurdon.

This moved the ball to the 44, where Johnston hooked up with Jason Morrow at the Gurdon 13.

Hughes introduced himself to Johnston on the next play, moving Prescott back four yards on the sack.

Then, the zebras came into play again, flagging Gurdon for being offsides.

Lined up in the shotgun formation, Johnston hit Morrow for the score and went for two on the point after try. Vanhook completed his assignment, cutting Gurdon's lead to 24-15.

The Devils took over at their 36, getting off two plays before the third quarter ended.

The final 12 minutes began with the Devils in a third and five situation at their own 39. The pass attempt from Toland to Gatlin failed and Gurdon had to punt.

Presco