Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Go-Devils, Wolves Meet Fri.

Fouke's 9-7 win over Gurdon in the season opener was the first time in five years the Go-Devils had dropped their inaugural game.

However, there were a number of reasons for this loss which had nothing to do with the quality of play.

Coach Randy Kizer had suffered a stroke a few days before the first game and was in Baptist Medical Center in Arkadelphia. According to Coach John Pace, Kizer is showing improvement and is already undergoing rehabilitation therapy.

If this wasn't enough, Pace's father is suffering with cancer, which kept the Devil head coach away from school several days.

These side issues apparently distracted the players enough to make a number of mental mistakes and costly turnovers.

While these situations still exist, the players will have to overcome these distractions in preparation for their game against Prescott Friday night.

The Highway 67 rivalry is rich in tradition and always a fan pleaser. Last season, the Curley Wolves handed Gurdon a 16-0 loss at Gus Brown Stadium enroute to the AA state title.

This year won't be any easier for the Devils as the Wolves opened with a 27-12 win over AAA Ashdown, followed by a 25-16 victory over AAA Hope last week.

Pace said it will be a brutal game and his crew will be ready, as they always are for Prescott.

However, in order to be competitive the Devils will have to improve in several areas.

The first place improvement is needed will be at center. This is the first year for the young man playing to be in this position, Pace said, which led him to be nervous in his first outing.

Three of Gurdon's first four offensive plays against Fouke resulted in missed snaps between center and quarterback.

In addition, the offensive line is young. The team's roster shows five sophomores working to anchor the line against opposing defenses.

Pace said the Gurdon defensive unit will also have to step its game up it the Devils are to keep the Wolves from the endzone door. "We need to do a better job with our position responsibility," he said, "and not let other teams offenses keep the ball from us." He added the defensive players need to work harder at wrapping up opposing ball carriers on tackles.

"You always hope to improve between your first and second game," he said. "We need to play better in a lot of areas."

Pace said the Wolves have as good or better a defensive team as they had last season.

"It'll be a big challenge for us. Our challenge is to get ready for them, keep the ball and eliminate mental mistakes."

There's more on the line than a win or loss with the Gurdon-Prescott game. For the second year, the Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times are sponsoring the Highway 67 traveling trophy, which goes to the winner of the game.

This rivalry has always been fierce, and has normally been a conference game as well. Though the Devils have dropped in class it doesn't mean the game will be any less important to the players.

In some instances, winning this game is as important to these two squads as winning the conference.